With families on hand to celebrate the outgoing seniors, Saturday afternoon's match against Berea might have felt like one that was predestined to be a Franklin women's soccer victory.

Much the Grizzlies' chagrin, the Mountaineers foiled the plot, with with a free-kick goal in the late stages enabling a 1-1 escape from Faught Stadium.

"Played solid in the first half and moved the ball well, finding spaces behind their line," Franklin coach Jen Jackson said, "so it was frustrating to concede off the set piece late in the game."

The home team asserted itself throughout the first 45 minutes, building an 8-3 advantage in shots. The Grizzlies (2-12-2, 1-6-1) put pressure on the visitors early and finally made it pay when Issy Pridemore launched from about 25 yards out and cashed in a high shot for a 1-0 lead in the 19th minute. Franklin put three more shots on goal in the first half, two from Amani Kincaid and one particularly dangerous chance for Amirah Curry that was denied at the doorstep by Berea keeper Addison McLaughlin, but wound up going into the break with a one-goal edge.

Berea played the part of the aggressor after intermission, with Griz netminder Emma Watson turning away a couple of shots at point-blank range. Despite that pressure, Franklin was holding the Mountaineer attack at bay — until a foul just outside the box led to a free kick that Payton Bugg put home to tie it with 5:14 left on the clock.

Both teams put eight shots on goal; Watson finished with seven saves in the draw.

The Grizzlies conclude their season Tuesday night at home against Transylvania.