The Oakmont High girls soccer team began Sierra Foothill League play with a 1-1 tie at home Thursday against Nevada Union.

That makes four ties in five games for the Vikings, who are still seeking their first win.

Neither team had a significant advantage as was evident from the start. Possession changed rapidly and both teams got off just a handful of shots in each half.

Oakmont had five shots on goal in the first and four in the second while the Miners went three and five. The Miners went up in the 25th minute on a miscue by Oakmont keeper Paige Thomas.

The second half calmed down a bit and the Vikings were able to take advantage of at least one of their opportunities.

Nevada Union’s score was a relatively fluke goal that bounced high bringing Thomas too far out of the goal and allowing a lucky Miner to head it through. In the second half there would be no flukes allowed.

Near the 73rd minute Oakmont struck its first SFL goal of the season. Jena Tague played a midlevel cross from the right side in on an out of position NU keeper and Marissa Kersey was there to finish.

Possibly not the prettiest goal of the season, but for a young team trying to find its level of intensity and chemistry Kersey’s touch on the ball was exactly what the doctor ordered.

“It’s been taking a little bit for us to just calm down and relax and play good soccer. That’s what we did in the second half,” said Oakmont coach Sondra Myles. “[In the second] we passed well, had some position changes, got some people feeling comfortable and had a great second half. I have a very young team so the first 20 minutes is all nerves.”

It was a step up from the first half to weather the Miner offense early in the second. Nevada Union was knocking early until realizing Katie Carte in the Oakmont defense had wheels on any player on the field.

The Viking offense really showed some color on the offensive upper-third, putting together some shots nearing the 60th minute. Up top, Madison Lee, Tiffani Rice and Nicole Pasdera had their chances to strike.

Pasdera took four consecutive corner kicks around the 52nd minute. Her third and fourth strikes were well-touched. The third without any reception by her teammates and the fourth an unsuccessful one to Taylor O’Meara who cleared space and had the touch that led to Tague’s assist in the 73rd minute.

“We’re just not pulling that trigger, just not getting that shot off,” Myles said. “We’re there, right up there. We’re building up beautifully and then just not there. And that’s just early season stuff. Most of these girls haven’t played together.”

The Vikings will have a chance to manage that team chemistry in another hard lined SFL match Tuesday as they host cross-town rival Roseville (4-1-3). The Tigers began their season on two ties and have since won three of their last four most recently a 3-0 take at Natomas.

Roseville had the bye on Thursday, so next week’s battle will be its league opener.