HARROGATE, Tenn. --- Peiton Bledsoe scored the tying goal midway through the second half as Tusculum University and Lincoln Memorial University played to a 1-1 draw in South Atlantic Conference women's soccer action Thursday afternoon.
The Pioneers (2-4-2, 2-2-2 SAC) and Railsplitters (4-0-2, 4-0-2 SAC) finished in 1-1 ties in each of their meetings this spring. By virtue of their third-place finish in group play during the season, the Pioneers earned a berth in the SAC Championship tournament and will play a quarterfinal game on Monday at an opponent to be determined.
Tusculum was outshot 20-8 by Lincoln Memorial in the match, including a 6-2 margin in overtime, but salvaged the draw on Bledsoe's first career goal in the 67th minute. Pioneer keeper Cece Mortensen finished with four saves while Emanuely Costa had three stops for the Railsplitters.
Jessica Cravero scored the lone goal for Lincoln Memorial in the 35th minute, as the Railsplitters outshot the Pioneers 8-3 in the opening half.
Lincoln Memorial had the first good scoring opportunity in the seventh minute, as a shot from distance by Cravero caromed off the crossbar to Rachel Taylor, whose shot from inside 10 yards was knocked away by Mortensen.
Tusculum did not have its first shot attempt until the 24th minute, when a blast from Brooke Radcliffe was blocked inside the box. In the 30th minute, Tina Haig had an opening at the top of the box but just missed wide of the near post.
The Railsplitters got on the board at 34:31 as a blast from 35 yards from Cravero got under the crossbar for her fourth goal of the season. Corrine Denton nearly tacked on another goal in the final minute of the half, but sailed a shot just outside the post.
In the second half, the Pioneers' Brianna Garcia redirected a free kick in the 56th minute that was stopped by Costa. At 66:04, the Pioneers tied the match as Radcliffe sent a pass from the far right side to Bledsoe at the top corner of the box, and she lofted a shot over Costa for the tying goal.
The first overtime saw only one scoring push, as a shot from Cravero was smothered by the defense and the second try from Lexi Bearden sailed wide midway through the period. Cravero had all four shots for Lincoln Memorial in the second overtime, but all missed target including one just wide of the far post with 7 1/2 minutes left. In the closing seconds, Haig was open in front but Costa punched the shot away as the match ended in a draw.
Tusculum had a 3-2 edge in corner kicks, but all three came in regulation as Lincoln Memorial had both of its corners in overtime. The Pioneers were whistled for nine fouls to eight by the Railsplitters.
