Women's soccer player wearing white top and red shorts dribbles ball with defender pressuring the pass

Tartans Top Franciscan 2-0 in Spring Opener

(PITTSBURGH, Pa.) - In the team's first action since the 2019 NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Championship national semifinal, the Carnegie Mellon University Tartans hosted Franciscan University and topped the Lady Barons, 2-0, on Thursday, March 11. Two different players scored for the Tartans while three goalies shared the shutout.

Freshman Cecelia Dieterich (South Paris, Maine / Oxford) earned the game winner in her first collegiate start with a shot in the late seconds of the 20th minute. Sophomore Allie Hunter (Pleasanton, Calif. / Amador Valley) served a ball across the box to the far post where Dieterich settled it and finished for her first career goal.

With less than four minutes to play in the game, sophomore Lena Spencer (Warrenton, Va. / Patriot) finished a left-footed shot over Marita Ostrich's outstretched arms for the insurance goal. Sophomore Madeline Blakley (Strongsville, Ohio / Strongsville) pinged a ball over the top of the defense for Spencer to chase down and with a touch to her left was able to allude a defender before the shot for the score.

Senior Carolyn Botz ( St. Louis, Mo. / MICDS) made one save in her 36 minutes of action to earn the victory. Sophomore Olivia Brand (Elmira, N.Y. / Corning-Painted Post) played just over 42 minutes while freshman Zia Reed (Allentown, Pa. / Parkland ) saw game action for 11 minutes.

The Tartans will return to the pitch on Friday, March 12 at 7:00 p.m. at home against Division II Slippery Rock University.