Staten Island, NY – Phil Casella's first game as Wagner head women's soccer coach was nothing short of dramatic, as the Seahawks earned a 1-1 draw in a game that was cut short by lightning, ending three minutes into the first overtime.

Sophomore Maria Nunez (East Greenwich, RI / East Greenwich) provided the first Wagner goal of the young season, knotting the game at one apiece with ten minutes to play in regulation after the Flames had taken the lead three minutes prior.

The first half started off with a scoring chance for the visitors, but junior Katie Viscardi (Hazlet, NJ / Mater Dei Prep), who earned the start in goal, came up with a diving save on a low shot by Gabrielle Farrell. From there on out, the Seahawks were forced into their half of the field, but only gave up one more scoring chance with just over 60 seconds to play in the first period.

The Flames' Abigail Persson broke free on the right wing, but Viscardi once again saved her shot into the left corner and was also able to deflect the rebound by Isabella Habuda to finish with four saves in the first period and take a clean sheet into the halftime locker room.

In the second half, the Seahawks started off on defense again, but sophomore Delaney Beck(Bakersfield, CA / Garces Memorial), who took over between the pipes at the half, began her Seahawk career with a nice save.

Wagner then regained possession and got its first scoring opportunity, as junior Sandra Battista (Staten Island, NY / Notre Dame Academy) stole the ball deep in Liberty territory before missing high with her attempt.

The Flames took the lead 77 minutes into the contest on a breakaway goal by Farrell, which was countered three minutes later by the Seahawks as freshman Mya Donnelly (Manalapan, NJ / Manalapan) won the ball in midfield and fed it to Nunez, who chipped it past the visiting goalkeeper from over 30 yards away.

The last 10 minutes of regulation went by without a scoring chance and Liberty's Jennifer Knoebel was the only player to attempt a shot in the shortened overtime period, as the contest ended in a 1-1 draw.

Battista led the Green and White with three attempts, with Nunez contributing two shots, while Beck finished her afternoon with six saves.

The Seahawks will play their first road contest of the season this Sunday, August 20, when they travel to Delaware State for a 2:00 pm kickoff. 

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