WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.- After an exciting home victory on Thursday night, the Palm Beach Atlantic women's soccer team returned to action on Monday. The Sailfish and the University of South Carolina Beaufort Sand Sharks fought to a 3-3 draw in the afternoon heat.
The Sand Sharks, riding the momentum of a top 25 win on Saturday night against Lynn, came out of the gate hot to start the match. With two goals inside the first seven minutes, USCB had the Sailfish on their heels early.
However, PBA would quickly flip the momentum. Kendall Popp won a penalty ten minutes later attempting to make a play in the box. Maddy Nelson would calmly roll it into the bottom right corner with a left-footed strike. Just minutes later, Nelson would strike again. Isabella Reinhardt played a perfect through pass into the box to a running Nelson. She deposited it into the bottom left corner for her second goal in under 5 minutes.
The Sailfish were not done yet.
Continuing to press and control possession, Bella De Silva played a ball over the top of the Sand Shark defense that Kendall Popp would get on the end of. Popp, making an impact off the bench, crossed the ball and found Isabella Reinhardt at the back post who finished it for the Sailfish third unanswered goal of the half.
Coming out of the halftime break, the Sand Sharks started off hot once again. Emily Rinaldi, trying to make a play on the ball inside the eighteen-yard box, committed a foul and a penalty was awarded. Sophia Willis would score on the ensuing kick and knot the game up at three.
Taylor Jackson and Sammy Peebles split the duties of goalkeeper once again in the match. Jackson allowed two goals in free play and Peebles was in goal for the USCB penalty kick goal.
With numerous chances in the rest of the second half, the Sailfish continued to press for a winning goal. PBA had four corner kicks in the second half but were unable to convert. It seemed the Sailfish had scored a late winner. Aidan McCausland lofted a ball into the box to Marina Leal who headed it over the keeper. Alas, the play was called back for Leal beginning the play in an offside position.
PBA continued to dominate possession and press for a winner, but the Sand Sharks defended well. After a dramatic first half and a competitive second half, both teams settled for a draw.
The Sailfish return to action on Saturday night when they open SSC play against Saint Leo at the Rinker Athletic Campus at 6 p.m.
