RINDGE, N.H. (Sept. 1, 2023) – Powered by the first collegiate goal from sophomore Maleah Tarin (Eastvale, Calif./Chino Hills) and a game-high six saves from sophomore Kamy Anaya (Long Beach, Calif./Long Beach Poly), the RV Mercy University women's soccer team earned a 1-1 draw at defending East Region Champion No. 12 Franklin Pierce University in their 2023 season opener on Friday afternoon at Sodexo Field.

The Mavericks (0-0-1) open their season with a draw in Interim Head Coach Jack Nicholson's collegiate coaching debut, while the Ravens (0-0-1) begin their season with a tie after advancing to the National Quarterfinals last season.

Tarin scored her first career goal and had a team-high two shots on goal in her first collegiate game. Anaya made a game-high six saves in 90 minutes of action. Sophomore Ancksu Dixon (Freeport, N.Y./Freeport) added two shots.

Franklin Pierce was led by Jenni Huttunen who scored and by Emilie Fox who made one save in goal.

Anaya made an early save in the 18th minute of action to keep the game scoreless. Following a Franklin Pierce foul from just inside midfield, Tarin deflected in a loose ball in front of the goal, after a Mercy free kick to give the Mavericks a 1-0 lead in the 24th minute.

Anaya made two more saves in the first half to give Mercy a 1-0 lead at halftime.

Anaya stopped two more shots to begin the second half before the Mavericks committed a foul in the box, leading to a Franklin Pierce penalty kick attempt in the 83rd minute. Huttunen found the back of the net in the lower right corner to tie the game at 1-1.

The game remained tied at 1-1 at the end of regulation with Anaya making another save to give Mercy the 1-1 draw in their season opener.

Franklin Pierce held a 16-4 edge in shots and a 7-2 edge in shots on goal. The Ravens also held a 4-2 edge in corner kicks.

Interim Head Coach Jack Nicholson and the Mavericks resume action on Sunday, September 3rd when they play Southern New Hampshire at Franklin Pierce at 6 p.m.