FAIRFIELD, Conn. — Grace O'Hara's 88^th minute strike proved to be the difference as the Sacred Heart University women's soccer team continued its unbeaten run at home, tying the University of Maine 1-1 on Sunday afternoon. 
 
With temperatures approaching 90 degrees at kickoff, both teams came out in the first half looking to strike first but could not accumulate meaningful possession in the final third with multiple chances left begging. With the lack of consistent opportunities, both sides headed into the halftime break searching for answers as the match remained deadlocked, 0-0. 
 
With a burst of energy to start the final 45 minutes, the visitors capitalized early in the second half as Maine's Abbey Thornton opened the scoring with a right-footed volley that beat Kyran Thievon into the right corner of the goal. Maine continued to force SHU into pressure as the game approached the final minutes of regulation. However, after Maine attempted to kill the game by holding possession in the corner of the field, the Red & White found their best chance of the match as O'Hara gathered a SHU clearance and made her way towards the Maine goal, beating two defenders and tapping the ball into an empty net to knot the game, 1-1, with under three minutes to play. Both squads would have one last chance to earn the win but both chances went awry as SHU held the visitors at bay to earn the 1-1 tie. 
 
Top Performers: 
Grace O'Hara (SHU): 1 goal, 1 shot on goal
Nichol Green (SHU): 1 shot on goal
Desiree Crawford (SHU): 1 shot on goal
Kyran Thievon (SHU): 5 saves
 
Of Note: 

• O'Hara's goal at 87:41 is the latest goal scored by her in her SHU career since her hat trick goal against Howard on October 2, 2022 (87:35).
• O'Hara's 88^th minute goal is the latest goal scored in any Sacred Heart match this season. 
• Graduate student Alexis Sickler and first year Lindsay McShea are the first Pioneers to surpass 400 minutes played this season. 

 
Scoring Summary:
53' – After gaining possession in the attacking third, Maine's Abby Kraemer floated a ball inside the penalty area that found the foot of Abbey Thornton whose right-footed volley found the top corner of the net. Maine 1, Sacred Heart 0
 
88' – After fending off Maine's persistence in the corner, SHU reclaimed possession and cleared the ball up the pitch. After a misplay by a Black Bear defender, O'Hara pounced on the ball and headed towards goal, quickly dispatching two defenders including the goalkeeper before tapping the ball into an open net to level the score. Sacred Heart 1, Maine 1
 
Up Next: 
The Pioneers return to the pitch this week for a string of two road matches beginning on Thursday, September 7, against Manhattan and culminating with a match against ACC opposition Boston College on Sunday, September 10. Kickoff against the Jaspers is slated for 7 p.m. in Riverdale, N.Y., while kickoff against the Eagles is scheduled for 1 p.m. Live statistics and livestream will be available on sacredheartpioneers.com.