NEW HAVEN, Conn. – For the first time in the young season, the Yale women’s soccer team fell behind early. Head coach Rudy Meredith was pleased with how his team responded against Sacred Heart on Tuesday night. The Bulldogs dominated play after the Pioneers scored first in the 20th minute, finally got the equalizer in the second half but had to settle for a 1-1 tie when the game was stopped due to unplayable field conditions with 18:58 remaining. Heavy rain fell throughout the contest, which led to puddles forming on the Reese Stadium field turf. Seventy minutes is an official game in soccer so it goes in the books as a tie. “We were a little sluggish at the start, but I’m happy with how we handled it,” Meredith said. “It was good for us to have to play from behind. The game started in a heavy rain, and it never let up. With it becoming more and more difficult to get the ball through the puddles, the referee called the coaches over after a particularly big splash, and it was agreed that the game should be stopped. “I’m fine with it,” Meredith said. “It was the right decision. The freshman duo of Meredith Speck and Melissa Gavin combined for the Bulldogs goal. Gavin sent a cross over a Sacred Heart defender’s head. Speck, who was named the Ivy League Rookie of the Week on Monday, settled it and fired a shot into the lower left corner. It was her second goal of the season. The assist was the first point of Gavin’s career. The Pioneers (2-1-1) jumped on the board first at 19:18. Alyssa Brandofino sent a free kick deep into the box where Lauren Boccio was able to tap it in. Yale (1-0-2) had a number of good opportunities before Speck finally tied it. The best came early in the second half, and again it was Speck who was involved. She dribbled into the box and got off a hard shot that was stopped by SHU goalkeeper Sydney Judkins. The rebound came out to Enma Mullo at the top of the box, but her shot went just wide. The Bulldogs finished with a 15-5 edge in shots. Adele Jackson-Gibson made one save in goal for Yale. Judkins stopped eight shots. Boccio’s goal was the first the Bulldogs have allowed all season. Yale is back in action on Friday at Rutgers. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.