Colchester — Kate English was a junior last season when the Ledyard High School girls' soccer team won both Eastern Connecticut Conference division and tournament titles, a satisfying end for their senior class of 10.

English hasn't been able to enjoy those kinds of wins so far in her senior year. The Colonels are young and have struggled, so she's instead helping her team build for the future.

English is happy to do it, too.

"I enjoy it because I still get to come out and play every day," English smiled after the Colonels scored their first goal of this abbreviated and weird fall season to tie unbeaten Bacon Academy at 1-all on Wednesday afternoon.

"I'm just fortunate to have a season in this crazy time, so I'll take an opportunity to come out with some of my best friends."

Ledyard is 0-4-1.

The Bobcats (3-0-1) expected good things this season with 10 seniors. They enjoyed a big win last Thursday when they edged 2019 Class L state finalist East Lyme, 3-2.

Bacon was disappointed with Wednesday's tie, especially because it came on Senior Day.

"(I'm) not too thrilled about the outcome, but I'm just happy that we're still undefeated and that we didn't lose," Bobcats senior Sophie Schroll said.

Senior Claire Gillerlane said, "We got to double overtime. We've never done that before. We pushed through. The underclassmen really wanted to win this for us and all the seniors put in the effort."

Bacon started fast Wednesday with Gillerlane scoring minutes into the game.

"Sophie Schroll gave me a great diagonal ball through the channel, and I took the touch and I got it right in there," Gillerlane said. "I got really lucky on it because that goalkeeper was pretty great."

Ledyard's keeper is one the youngsters the Colonels are building around — Bella Drummond. She had 10 saves to help keep her team in the game.

"She is amazing," English said. "I'm so thankful to have such amazing people behind me."

Colonels head coach Emily Lehet said, "Today we had Delaney Vaudrey, Bella Drummond, Jess English and Sarah Bailey, all of our sophomores who played last year, come up huge. And then (freshman) Maddie McLeod played every second. They're all stepping up big."

Emily Bailey tied the game with 17 minutes, 9 seconds left in the first half when she first got to a loose ball headed towards the Bacon net.

"Getting the ball in the back of the net. ... we couldn't be happier," Lehet said. "They've just been so hungry to score. They're getting antsy. Today, they were able to put it together, which was good to see."

The Bobcats had numerous chances to take the lead in the second half and overtime but either misfired or couldn't get it past Drummond, who made some terrific saves. They even had three straight corner kicks in overtime but couldn't put the ball in.

"We did get unlucky," Schroll said, "but their keeper made some really great saves that she should be very proud of because we definitely deserved to make some of those, but she obviously is very talented."

Kate English said, "Even though we came out with a tie, we're so thrilled because our defense worked really well as well as we finally actually started to create some offense.

"Some of these players who have played for three years now are going to be seniors next year. I can see them coming in next year and being leaders on the team, and I'm starting to see connections on the field with the ball and the passing. So absolutely, I can see a great season next year."

n.griffen@theday.com