Bassallo, Lewis score, Women’s Soccer Hangs on to Draw with Anna Maria, 2-2

PAXTON, Mass.- Eva Bassallo and Anna Lewis scored less than three minutes apart to give MCLA a 2-0 halftime lead but host Anna Maria fought back earning a 2-2 draw this afternoon in nonconference Women's Soccer action. With the result both squads are now 0-1-1.

After chasing down a long punt up the left sideline by MCLA keeper Eva Eberwein (T, 0-1-1), Bassallo and Gwendolyn Duggan executed a perfect give and go that led to a 20-yard right footed dart from Bassallo that beat the outstretched Amcat goalie Madi Mulligan (T, 0-1-1) just inside the left post to give the sophomore her first career goal and the Trailblazers a 1-0 lead in the 23^rd minute.

Less than three minutes later, a perfectly placed cross off the right foot by Anna Lewis from the right sideline found its way just inside of the far left post to give the visitors a 2-0 advantage which they would take into the break.

Anna Maria came out with a purpose in the second half turning up the pressure and controlling much of the play. In the 48^th minute Olympia Myers picked up some loose change in front of the net and booted it past Eberwein to make it 2-1. In the 68^th minute an Amcat cornerkick bounced around in the box until finally it found Riley Michaud who punched it home to tie the match 2-2.

The hosts kept the heat on seeking the go-ahead goal but the Trailblazer defense, particulary Julia Rabideau and Eberwein were up to the task keeping Anna Maria off the board the rest of the way. MCLA had several chances in a final minute flurry but were too unable to break the tie.

Anna Maria outshot MCLA 20-8 with Eberwein making 12 saves for MCLA. Mulligan had two stops on the day.

Anna Maria travels to Dean on Wednesday for a 4pm kick-off while MCLA next hosts Sage on Saturday at noon.