GREENFIELD — There is an ancient Chinese saying; The journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step.
The Washington Lady Blue Lion soccer program may have taken that modest step when they finished Thursday’s Frontier Athletic Conference match at McClain High School in a 3-3 tie with the Lady Tigers.
Washington has yet to win a match in the one season-plus that Tammi Ramsey has been the head coach.
The best result they’ve had prior to Thursday was a 4-2 loss last season to London.
McClain held a 3-1 halftime lead.
Sammie Arobgast connected on the first goal for Washington in the 11th minute.
In the second half, Washington pulled to within one with a goal from Kassidy Hines in the 49th minute. The assist went to Jaelyn Mason.
The equalizer came off the foot of Hannah Patterson in the 50th minute. A double assist was given to Hines and Zoee Clay.
“Those back-to-back goals really changed the momentum of the game,” Ramsey said. “The girls kind of picked up their momentum. They were passing better, they were talking much more. It was really an exciting game to watch.
“I’m okay with a draw,” Ramsey said. “Because they played with intensity, they played with heart and they played for each other. We hope to carry that on through the rest of the season.”
For McClain, Beckley Smith, Haley Anderson and Kerrigan Pollard scored goals.
Washington had 22 shots on goal, while McClain had 19.
Washington’s Taylor Smith and Keirra Marcum combined for 16 saves.
Karissa Nebergall had 19 saves for McClain.
Washington is now 0-4-1 on the season, 0-3-1 in the FAC.
Washington will travel to London for a Saturday evening match at 7 p.m. They will play at Miami Trace Tuesday at 6:45 p.m.