SCRANTON, Pa. — The Catholic University men's soccer team battled Scranton to a hard-fought draw on Saturday to move to 1-0-1 in Landmark Conference play.

The match began as a cagey affair with both teams utilizing the opening 20 minutes to feel each other out. Catholic earned the game's first corner in the 20th minute and produced its first shot in the 24th minute, when Kwaku Marfo-Sarbeng looped a header toward Charlie Smith's goal. It was a comfortable take for the goalkeeper in the end.

Both teams struggled to create any clear-cut scoring opportunities until Catholic was aided by a Drew Paxton mistake in the 34th minute. The Scranton defender was beaten by quick interplay between Liam Giblin and Ryan Kelly, fouling the latter just before he got a shot away inside the Royal penalty area.

Kelly stepped up himself to smash the spot kick into the roof of the net to push Catholic ahead. Hayden Lim also played a vital role in the build up to the earning of the penalty kick.

The Cardinals were ahead for just five minutes though as Scranton hit back courtesy of a great strike from Gavin Scavino. 

After Catholic successfully defended the first phase of a Royal corner kick, the ball was recycled to Scavino who was the original corner taken. After just getting himself back onside, he took a touch inside onto his favored right foot and curled a quality strike into the top corner.

The second half lacked quality scoring chances but Scranton went close with 15 minutes remaining. After Corey Magro was booked for a challenge near midfield, the Royals went long with the free kick in an attempt to put pressure on Owen Allegro's goal. The ensuing ball was loose in the Catholic penalty area momentarily before Scranton's leading goal-scorer Ciaran Corr tried to finish at a tough angle but it was cleared off the line by two well-positioned Cardinal defenders.

Catholic tested Smith again in the 81st minute when Ryan Kuegler volleyed a deflected cross toward the Royal goal but it was too tame to worry the goalkeeper. The Cardinals tried to muster an opportunity from their final corner kick of the game in the 88th minute, but Owen Maher's header was comfortable again for Smith.

Despite the lack of out-and-out scoring chances, Travis Beauchamp's men consistently looked the more likely to score, outshooting Scranton 13-5 overall and 10-4 in the second half.

The Cardinals will now face a quick turnaround for a Tuesday night matchup with Susquehanna. The River Hawks will come to Carlini Field for a Landmark Conference affair with kickoff set for 7 p.m.