NEWARK, Del. - - The 16^th ranked Wilmington University women's soccer team opened its Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference season with a 2-2 draw to Holy Family on Tuesday afternoon at the WU Athletics Complex.

The Wildcats remain undefeated in the early part of the season, now stand at 3-0-2 overall and 0-0-1 in the CACC. It was the first tie of the season for the Tigers, as they are now 0-4-1 overall and 0-0-1 in the CACC.

The first shot of the game found the back of the net for the Tigers, as Gigi Conlan intercepted a pass on the Wilmington backline. She stepped into space and scored just 29 seconds into the contest.

The Wildcats put on the pressure, but Tigers' goalkeeper Jaina Preuhs made saves against Anneli Donath, Indigo Kirk, ad Evelyn Payne before the Wildcats finally got on the board. A clearance out of the back landed to Eboni Bradshaw. Her one-touch back heel was played perfectly to Sierra Bartley and then Bartley one-touched it down the middle to a cutting Payne. Evelyn Payne snuck it under the crossbar for her first goal of the season in the 31^st minute.

Off a set piece, the Tigers regained the lead in the 39^th minute. Samantha Pastino played the ball into the box and it popped loose despite a Tiger and two Wildcats converging on it. Gwen Dozier was there to tap it into the back of the net for the 2-1 lead.

Eboni Bradshaw took a throw in down the left side and got around her defender. She passed back to Anneli Donath who spring free right in front of the goal and slotted one home to tie the game, 2-2, in the 43^rd minute.

The Wildcats continued to put the pressure on in the second half but Preuhs made saves in the 51^st and 59^th minutes before Evelyn Payen hit the crossbar in the 75^th minute.

The Wildcats down to 10-women for the final 1:49 of the game and the Tigers nearly capitalized. Miscommunication at the top of the box led to the Tigers pouncing on the ball, but it was a Bella Mazzone sliding save that kept the ball out of the net with 50 seconds left. The Wildcats then had one last run with Bradshaw down the right side. But Preuhs jumped on the cross attempt before it could reach the two Wildcats on the back post with less than 10 seconds to play.

The Wildcats led in shots, 17-7, and in corners, 6-0. Isabella Mazzone made two saves in the second half in her first action of the year.

The Wildcats stay inside the CACC this weekend, traveling to Dominican on Saturday afternoon. The opening whistle is set for 12:00 p.m.