NEW LONDON, Conn. (Sept. 11, 2026) - Sophomore
Ruby Karls' (Lexington, Ky.) game-tying goal in the 89th minute helped the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy women's soccer team battle archrival Coast Guard to an exciting 2-2 draw on Friday night at Nitchman Field. The Mariners' record moved to 0-0-2, while the Bears moved to 1-0-2.
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Coast Guard wasted little time getting on the board as Ella Pottle found the back of the net in the second minute to give the Bears an early 1-0 advantage. The Blue and Gray answered in the 17th minute when freshman Hailey Catolico (Apex, N.C.) scored off a feed from sophomore Sakura Lopez (San Diego, Calif.) to even the game at 1-1. Catolico nearly struck again just over three minutes later, but Coast Guard goalkeeper Julia Little turned away her attempt in the 21st minute.
The Bears generated three opportunities later in the half. Junior goalkeeper Eva Fields (Williamsburg, Va.) denied Lulu Vlases in the 23rd minute, Mary Arengo in the 30th and Bella Brittian in the 40th to send the teams into halftime tied at 1-1. Coast Guard held an 11-5 advantage in shots in the opening half.
Coast Guard regained the lead in the 61st minute when Brittian found the back of the net to make it 2-1. The score remained that way deep into the second half before the Mariners mounted a late push for the equalizer.
Junior Jayme Santasiero (Houston, Texas) nearly tied the game in the 86th minute but was denied by Little. USMMA continued to apply pressure and finally broke through with just 42 seconds remaining as Santasiero set up Karls for the game-tying goal in the 89th minute, securing the 2-2 draw for the Mariners.
Coast Guard outshot Merchant Marine 15-13 and held the edge in corners 4-1.
Fields made six saves, and sophomore Charli Warren (Atlanta, Ga.) made one stop. Little finished with four saves for the Bears.
The Mariners return to the pitch on Wednesday, Sept. 16, when they open Skyline Conference play on the road against Mount St. Vincent at 7 p.m.
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