PITTSBURGH, PA – No. 12 University of Rochester women's soccer picked up their second-straight result in University Athletic Association (UAA) conference play, drawing with the No. 1-ranked Carnegie Mellon Tartans, 1-1, on Saturday at the CMU Soccer Field.
 
The Tartans went on the offensive early, with a 12th-minute corner followed by the first two shots of the contest in the 17th minute.
 
Breana Valentovish notched the game's first shot just over 16 minutes into the first half, sending one on goal from just outside the top of the box, but Grace Kuropatkin made her first of four saves, fending off Valentovish's attempt, while Cecelia Dieterich sent the rebound wide.
 
Carnegie Mellon then picked up two more corners in the 21st and 22nd minute, but Dieterich's attempt off the second corner again went wide.
 
The two sides would combine for just four shots over the first 40 minutes of play, with defense dominating much of the first half, until the Yellowjackets fired the opening salvo on their lone shot of the first half.
 
After a foul set up a UR free kick from just past midfield in the 44th minute, and Megan Pung's long free kick found Maya Bravo in front of the defense and onside. The first-year then chipped it over a lunging Abby O'Connor to give the Yellowjackets a 1-0 lead.
 
But the Tartans would answer less than a minute later, as Ayana Curto found Catherine MacNichol with a pass, which MacNichol settled down off her chest. In front of the UR defense, MacNichol then beat a charging Kuropatkin to level the score at 1-1 heading into the halftime break.
 
Carnegie Mellon would have their share of opportunities to break the tie in the second half, outshooting Rochester, 4-0 in the second half including a pair on goal.
 
In the 52nd minute, Maria Askounis sent a low roller at Kuropatkin, but the junior made the easy save, while Jenna Hallbeck's shot a few minutes later was blocked.
 
Rochester's defense continued to hold strong throughout the second half, with Kuropatkin adding another save to her tally in the 72nd minute.
 
On one of the Tartans' 11 corner kicks, this one with just under 20 minutes, Kuropatkin punched Carnegie Mellon's attempt away. But the Tartans would retain possession and after a throw-in, Rachel Martini lifted a shot from the right wing at Kuropatkin, but again the junior made the save.
 
Each team would get another corner in the final 20 minutes, but both offenses would be held without a shot, as UR and Carnegie Mellon remained level at one as the final horn sounded.
 
Rochester remained undefeated with the result, moving to 8-0-3 (0-0-2 UAA) on the year, while the Tartans, who came into the contest without a loss or draw on their ledger, moved to 11-0-1 (1-0-1 UAA).
 
Bravo took UR's lone shot and scored the 'Jackets goal, while Pung earned the assist. The Tartans outshot Rochester, 10-1, but the Yellowjackets made the most of their one shot, with CMU putting five on goal.
 
In net for UR, Kuropatkin made five saves, helping the 'Jackets remain undefeated.
 
Rochester is back in action on Tuesday, Oct. 10 when they wrap up non-conference play at home against Buffalo State at 7:00 p.m. inside Edwin Fauver Stadium.