JOPLIN, MO- Colorado Christian kicked off the 2024 campaign on Friday with a tilt at Missouri Southern. It was the visitors who struck first, but the hosts managed to score late in the second half to salvage a 1-1 draw in both teams' openers. 

The shots began early for the Cougars as Ava Dinverno got off a pair with one being on goal. Hannah Mares got in on the offense with a shot as a goal seemed imminent. That goal came in the 23rd minute when freshman Ava Schock setup Capri Dewing who slotted it home for the first goal of the season and an early lead. Ella Salsberry put a shot on goal and closed the half with another shot as the teams headed to halftime with CCU leading 1-0. 

Mares notched a pair of shots early in the second half, and keeper Alana Lopp began to make saves to keep CCU ahead. The teams battled from there, and with a little over five minutes to play, the Lions broke through with a goal to tie the game late. Dewing got one last gasp shot off in the final seconds but it did not find the mark as the game ended in a 1-1 tie.

Dewing paced the offense with 3 shots and the lone goal for her team. Mares was strong with 4 shots on goal, while Ava Dinverno had two. Lopp made three saves to keep her team in the game throughout. 

The Cougars will continue play on the road at Southwestern Christian University in Oklahoma September 8 at 12 p.m. MST.