WELLESLEY, Mass. – Clark University erased a 3-1 deficit late to play to a 3-3 tie with Wellesley College soccer on Senior Day on Saturday. The Blue are now 5-6-5 Overall, 2-3-4 NEWMAC while the Cougars sit at 7-4-3 Overall, 3-3-3 NEWMAC.
Prior to the game, the Blue recognized its seven seniors for their contributions; Olivia Chow-Gillette (Dallas, Texas), Abby Ding (Bellevue, Wash.), Dika KC (Pittsford, N.Y.), Caroline Min (Bellevue, Wash.), Mae Nephew (Duluth, Minn.), Mia Shanafelt (Mercer Island, Wash.) and Zoe Stephens (Chicago, Ill.).
Wellesley struck first in the sixth minute when Chow-Gillette finished a pass from sophomore Elena Garcia (Atlanta, Ga.).
The Blue doubled the lead in the 22nd minute with Garcia's fourth tally of the season. First-year Areet Rao (Palo Alto, Calif.) set up the opportunity to be credited with an assist.
Clark got on the board, two minutes before the halftime horn, junior Solimar Rivera (Worcester, Mass.) knocked a shot that was assisted by first-year Caroline Knecht (Scottsdale, Ariz.).
The home team retook a two-goal advantage in the 53rd minute. Rao was involved again, this time setting up Shanafelt who found the back of the net for the first time this season.
The Cougars responded in the 67th minute when Rivera scored a second goal of the game.
With 7:31 left in the game, Knecht put up a shot from way downtown that went high, tipped off the keeper's hand and ricocheted back into the game to equalize the game at 3-3.
Wellesley Sophomore Olivia Lore (Blue Bell, Pa.) had 11 saves, including a 100th of the season. Clark senior Gabrielle Huryn (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio) made five stops.
Wellesley will remain home on Wednesday, October 28 for a 3:00 PM crosstown showdown with Babson College. On Monday, October 26, the Cougars will host a non-conference game with Wentworth Institute of Technology.
