OTHELLO — The Ephrata girls soccer team came out firing early Tuesday evening, but wound up settling for a 3-3 draw with Othello in a physical back-and-forth match.

Sophie Molitor scored twice for the Tigers, both off assists from Brooklynn Sieverkropp. Brooklynne Addink added Ephrata’s other goal.

Molitor put the Tigers on the board early in the contest, finishing off a pass from Sieverkropp. Just a few minutes later, Addink scored to give Ephrata a 2-0 lead.

But the host Huskies fought back with a goal midway in the period, then tied the game on a penalty kick after a foul in the box.

Molitor struck again early in the second half to give Ephrata a 3-2 lead, but Othello answered minutes later when a penalty kick was played to a teammate, who scored to tie the match at 3-all.

“It was a very physical game,” said Ephrata coach Gary Klepec, adding, “We dominated in the midfield area." He credited Delaney Killinger, Lila Rainey, and Alexis St. Mary for their strong play.

Klepec said the Tiger defense also played well. Keeper Natalin Abundiz, guarding the net while starter Aiyana Valle is out with a concussion, recorded five saves.

On offense, Ephrata finished with 20 shots on goal — eight in the first half and 12 in the second — but couldn’t find the net for a fourth score to close the game.

“Our forwards were making great runs," said Klepec. “I feel like the offense is definitely heading in the right direction. Our young players are stepping up offensively."

"Twenty shots on goal is a good start," he continued. "We just need more of the shots to be on target and more accurate, so we’ll work on that.”

With the tie, the Tigers' record moved to 0-2-1. But they're looking forward to a rematch with the Huskies later this season in Ephrata, said Klepec. “I’m anxious to play them again at our field."

The Tigers host Grandview this Saturday, kicking off at noon.