Sterling, Kan.– Aviana Garrett scored an unassisted equalizer at 60:00 as the University of Saint Mary earned a 1-1 draw against Sterling College on Saturday, October 24, in Sterling, Kansas. The Spires finished with a 17-2 advantage in shots against the Warriors.

USM tested Sterling goalkeeper Hardman early, beginning with Katie Hartley's shot on goal at 4:19. Allena Collins forced another save at 9:56, the Spires' fifth attempt on target in the opening 10 minutes. Hardman made seven first-half saves, including a stop on Yaneila Romanlopez's second shot in five seconds at 36:32. Despite the Spires eight first-half shots, Ramirez gave SC a 1-0 halftime lead with an unassisted goal at 41:00.

Garrett brought the Spires level 15 minutes into the second half, and Saint Mary continued creating chances while holding the Warriors without a shot after halftime. Nir Darjee put an attempt on target at 71:08 that Hardman saved. Romanlopez came close to a go-ahead goal less than two minutes later, hitting the crossbar at 72:50.

The Spires kept pressing through the closing minutes. Garrett sent a shot wide at 87:04 before Nicolas made a defensive save on Litzy Mendoza's attempt at 89:05. Diana Aguilar took Saint Mary's seventh corner kick at 89:59, but the match ended without another goal. The Spires outshot Sterling 9-0 in the second half and finished with a 7-2 edge in corners.

Mendoza led USM with five shots and three on goal, while Romanlopez added four shots and two on target. The Spires held a 10-1 advantage in shots on goal, with Hardman finishing with eight goalkeeper saves in addition to Nicolas' defensive stop. USM moved to 1-8-2 in conference play, while Sterling stood at 1-9-2. Bre'Ella DeMaranville played all 90 minutes in goal for the Spires, allowing one goal without recording a save.
 
Coming Up…

The Spires will spend a week at home as they host the Evangel University Valor on Wednesday, October 28 at Berkel Memorial with kick-off slated for 5 p.m.