PHOTOS: Marauders Knot Wamps in Muddy Affair

It didn't downpour for long Tuesday afternoon, but when it did the Marauders quickly saw the disadvantage of playing on grass.

At the 30-minute mark Braintree scored the game's first goal as Dedham keeper Ellen Masalsky slipped on a mud patch in front of the goal.

"The field conditions were tough for both teams," Dedham coach Don Savi said following the match. "Unfortunately it rained after the match started. At that point you obviously want to finish the game. You don't want to have an official game at half."

The Wamps lead didn't last long as a minute later, Dedham sophomore Emily Pike scored the game-tying goal for the Marauders.

Dedham (9-1-2) was without senior captain Sarah Warjas, who will return for Thursday's match against Wellesley, Savi said.

The girl's soccer team will soon play home games at the new $3 million athletic complex at Dedham High School, but that project has seen six weeks worth of delays. It is now set for opening on Oct. 17, school officials said.

"It would've been nice if the turf was ready. If we could've played over there today, it would've been a better game," the coach said.

When teams returned to the slippery pitch after a lengthy halftime delay, both were sluggish, but the Marauders controlled play.

"I guess the result was fair. We had some chances there that we didn't bury," Savi said. "You don't want to make a mistake here. It took away our speed a bit."

Braintree senior keeper Jessica Hasson kept the Wamps in the match as she punched away three corner kicks.

"She played real well. She made some nice saves," Savi said. "She kept them in the game in the second half."

Braintree's only second-half offense came off transition play, but defenders Kayla Sharpe and Renee Gassler shutdown several breakaway attempts by Braintree.

"[Braintree's] counter is dangerous - and they did a nice job on the counters," Savi said.

Dedham, undefeated in eight straight, will play at Wellesley on Thursday. The Raiders, 7-2 in conference play, are deadlocked atop the Herget Division with Dedham, 6-1-2 in conference.

"We'll take the tie and move on. We wanted the two [points], but we'll settle for one today," he said.

Field Hockey Blanks Braintree

In their "home opener," the Dedham field hockey team trounced Braintree 9-0 in a game played at .

Delays with the athletic complex has caused the team to travel the first eight games this season.

Kerrianne Downing led the Marauders (4-4-1) with three goals, Amanda Celata added a pair, and senior Kayla Dello Iacono scored her first varsity goal.

Senior Cailyn Kelley notched a pair of assists, her first two varsity points.

"She setup some great plays," coach Erin MacDonald said by phone Tuesday.

Goalie Jamie Carty earned a two-save shutout.

The Marauders will play home on Thursday against Wellesley.