The University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) women’s soccer team closed out with a defensive draw against Lindenwood University during Saturday’s matchup at Kiwanis Stadium. “We started a little slow, but we were able to weather the storm and got ourselves in the game.”

   Despite the slow start, UIS put together most of the scoring chances throughout the match, “Once we settled down, we created quite a bit of quality in the attacking third.” Taylor Mraz created a near breakaway during the 18th minute as her shot went to the right of the goal. During the 25th minute, Mraz set up Kimmie Rickson for open shot near the top of the box with the shot going high.

   The Prairie Stars (0-0-2) had a strong look 26 minutes into the match. Amanda Meyer delivered a through ball to Mraz. Mraz eluded past the goalkeeper, but a Lindenwood defender caught up to Mraz and blocked Mraz’s shot back to the baseline.

   In the final minute of the first half, Lauren Griffin created a break past Lindenwood’s midfield line. Near the top-right corner of the box, Griffin sent a cross to MaKayla Cox and her shot went just high.

   During the 60th minute, Mraz served a corner kick to Allison Hackett for a header, but Lindenwood came up with a critical block.

   Morgan Weller made an attempt to break the tie with under six minutes remaining in regulation, but Paloma Guijarro came up with the save. The Lions (0-0-1) created another scoring opportunity two minutes later. Katie Richter crossed the ball into the box, UIS sent the ball out and Olivia Callipari fired a shot high.

   During the 89th minute, Mraz created a 2-on-1 situation. Mraz juked her defender and delivered a shot high. Angela Dagnino provided the final good look of regulation, contributing a shot that went high. The first quality look of the first overtime came when Hackett received a deflection and fired a shot just right of the goal 93 minutes into the match.

   Bailey Bologna connected on a shot 96 minutes into the match where Kayla Meyer blocked the shot. The ball was sent directly upwards and Guijarro collected the ball. During the 99th minute, Erin Bolskar took a free kick that set up Maggie Juhlin, but her header went left of the goal. UIS created one more scoring opportunity 106 minutes into the match by setting Cox up for a 2-on-1 situation, but her shot went wide.

   Mraz led the Prairie Stars with three shots. Bolskar, Cox, Dagnino and Hackett provided two shots apiece. Kara Cipole, Juhlin, Amanda Meyer, Rickson and Claire Sokol each delivered shots. Juhlin and Cipole each connected on a shot on goal. Weller and Marissa Barria notched three shots apiece for Lindenwood. Callipari contributed two shots and Bologna added a shot. Barria, Callipari and Weller each registered shots on goal.

   Guijarro compiled her first shutout of the season. In 110 minutes in goal, Guijarro collected each of the three shots she faced.

   Megan Swanson recorded a shutout, saving both of the shots she faced in 110 minutes. UIS outshot Lindenwood by a 16-9 margin. The Lions held a 3-2 advantage in shots on goal. “It was a good battle and I’m happy with the performance our team put in. There are a lot of positives to be excited about and now we just have to find in the back of the net.”

   The Prairie Stars take on Purdue Northwest University (0-1) on Thursday at 2:30 p.m. in Hammond, Ind.