BABSON PARK, Mass. — Junior midfielder Ali Roche (Maynard, Mass.) scored in the 70th minute of play to give the Wheaton College (Mass.) women's soccer team a 1-1 tie at host Babson College in the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference opener this afternoon Saturday at rainy Hartwell-Rogers Field in Babson Park, Mass. 
 
The Lyons extended their unbeaten streak to seven to begin the season and are now 4-0-3 overall and 0-0-1 in league play, while the Beavers registered their second 1-1 deadlock in less than 24 hours, while running their unbeaten streak to four games, and are now 2-3-2 and 0-0-1.
 
Roche potted her third goal of the season for the Lyons and first year forward Gina Trovato (Simsbury, Conn.) earned her second assist. Junior Patricia Bandrup (Poway, Calif.) made five saves between the pipes for the visitors.

First year forward Josie Lee (Duxbury, Mass.) picked up her second goal of the season for the Beavers and senior midfielder Camryn Ward (Southbury, Conn.) registered her first assist. Senior goalie Nora Ryan (Abington, Mass.) was forced to make one save in the Beaver goal in the draw.

The Lyons controlled much of the play in the second half. They just missed a tying goal in the 46th minute as junior back Mia Wolfgang (Holliston, Mass.) created some space and got off a strong shot from 15 yards out which Ryan denied. Wheaton tallied the equalizer with 20:52 to play when Roche took a cross from Trovato and lined a shot from 20 yards out over a diving Ryan to level the score at 1-1.
 
The Beavers dominated play over the first 45 minutes, out-shooting the Lyons 12-0, including 5-0 in shots on goal, but it wasn't until the 45th minute that Babson found the back of the net. Lee ran down a long lead pass on the right side just inside the box, turned a fired a shot over the head of the Lyon keeper into the far corner of the net for a 1-0 lead with just 52 seconds left on the opening half.
 
Babson had three earlier attempts that nearly led to a goal. Bandrup deflected a shot by first-year midfielder Mack Feeney (North Attleboro, Mass.) over the net in the 14th minute, then came off her line to stop senior forward Elisa Diletizia (Canton, Mass.) from close range in the 22nd minute. Senior forward Jordyn Ferrantino (Millis, Mas.) got one past Bandrup in the 24th minute but Wolfgang cleared the ball away from the goal line to keep the game scoreless.
 
Each team had a couple of opportunities in the final 20 minutes but no major threats. Babson finished with a 17-2 advantage in shots, 8-2 in shots on goal, and the home team had a 7-3 margin in corner kicks.
 
Wheaton returns home to host Endicott College on Wednesday, September 29 at 4:00 p.m., while the Beavers play their next four games against NEWMAC foes, beginning Friday at 6:00 p.m. at United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn.