WARRIORS AND EAGLES UNABLE TO CREATE SEPARATION IN SECOND HALF; DRAW 1-1

ELGIN, Ill. - A spectacular diving header from junior forward Olivia Howes at the 26-minute mark in the first half helped the Warriors even the game 1-1 against the Judson Eagles on Thursday evening during the Warriors' season debut - but it would be the final goal for either team for the rest of the match's duration. The Warriors sent a slew of shots at goal, but Judson's Eva Fernandez halted eight Warrior attempts on goal. 

THE RUNDOWN

FIRST HALF

• Junior Jenna Schodowski got the Warriors' attack started early on, with two shots on goal in the first three minutes - both saved. RCU's defensive effort was strong during the contest, with defenders Adyson McCullough and Isabella Ames finding success against Judson's attackers
• A break in the Warriors' defense helped the Eagles find one of their few shots on goal hit the back of the net from the left side, scored by forward Yeyahs Macias. However, RCU wasn't deflated, with Howes subbing on and earning the goal. In her RCU debut, freshman Laila Vanhoorelbeke received a pass from the middle and curved a ball from the right side of the field directly to a running Howes, who dove and bounced the ball towards the left of Fernandez
• Junior Mya Freeland got her first crack at goal for the season 31 minutes into play, before Howes had a close chance at a second goal shortly after to round out the first half

SECOND HALF

• Goalkeeper Mackenzie Fournier made sure to keep the Warriors even to start the second half with an impressive save, and the Warriors responded with three more shots on goal. Fournier made another save at the 55th minute mark, and the Warriors locked things down from there on their end of the pitch
• The game slowed down for both teams, with neither being able to find a shot on goal chance aside from Warrior freshman Aliana Perez. Vanhoorelbeke nearly made her debut even more stellar with a near chance at goal with four minutes remaining, but that shot was saved by Judson's Fernandez

STAT OF THE GAME

Howes' goal was her 14th of her career, placing her closer among the Warriors' all-time goal leaders. 

Hussein Murray - RCU Athletic Communications