Maryville – A battle of two strong teams concluded in a draw, as Maryville opened its 2024 campaign with a 2-2 final against Bridgewater (Va.).
The CCS Champion Scots were challenged in Game 1 of their 2024 campaign, facing off against a squad from the always-tough ODAC conference.
Hannah Smoot opened the scoring for MC early in the contest. The 2023 CCS Player of the Year scored the Scots first goal of the season in the 16th minute.
Anabelle Procter picked up the assist on the point.
MC was able to hold its lead for the remainder of the first half, taking a 1-0 advantage into the final 45 minutes of play.
The Eagles busted through the gates in the second half though, picking up two goals and taking a 2-1 lead within the first 10 minutes of play in the final 45. Cassandra Villafan and Katherine King found the back of the net in the 48th and 58th minutes, respectively.
Maryville knotted it back up in the 73rd minute, as
Madison McDonald redirected a beautiful corner kick from Smoot into the back of the net to make it 2-2. Smoot recorded her first assist of the season on the goal.
Both teams played aggressively over the final 17 minutes of play, with both having multiple opportunities to take the lead, but in the end, the strong defensive front of both squads kept the game tied as the clock ran out on the 2024 season opener.
Bridgewater outshot MC 12-8, and held a 3-2 advantage on corner kicks, but Scots goalkeeper
Sydney Mahr recorded four saves, to the Eagles two.
The Scots are back in action Saturday night, taking on Westfield State (0-0-1) at the MC Soccer Complex. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
