MARYVILLE, Mo. – The Northwest Missouri State women's soccer squad came out with a thrilling 4-4 draw with the No. 5-ranked Central Missouri Jennies at Bearcat Pitch. 
 
With the draw, Northwest sits at 4-2-5 overall and 2-1-2 in the MIAA. The Bearcats scored four goals today, which is the most goals allowed by the Jennies since the 2018 season and the second-most in history between the two teams.
 
The No. 5-ranked Jennies (7-2-2, 4-0-1 MIAA) came out aggressively, quickly taking a 1-0 lead in the first minute with a goal from Ashleigh Martin. Northwest responded quickly, as Makenna West netted the equalizer unassisted in the fifth minute. However, an own goal from Northwest soon after, put the Jennies back on top, 2-1, and Mackenzie Smith extended their lead to 3-1 in the 12th minute off a corner kick.
 
Despite the early setback, the Bearcats didn't let up. Adell Gore made a strong run down the left side and crossed to West, who set up Ekaterina Theoharidis for a goal in the 18th minute, trimming the deficit to 3-2. With 14 minutes left in the first half, Margaret Madden drew a foul in the box, leading to a penalty kick converted by Ximena Arnau to tie the game 3-3 going into halftime.
 
Northwest led in shots (8) and shots on target (7), while the Jennies dominated corner kicks, 5-to-1. Goalkeeper Lily Ellis made three saves on seven shots in the first half. The three goals Northwest scored marked the most Central Missouri has given up in a match all season.
 
The second half saw both teams continue to press, and the Jennies regained the lead with a goal in the 49th minute to go up 4-3. Northwest wasn't done yet, with 15 minutes remaining, Lucia Fernandez delivered a pinpoint corner kick to Darrian Gordon, who headed it to level the score at 4-4, securing a thrilling draw for the Bearcats.
 
The Jennies led the match with 18 shots to the Bearcats' 13, also taking the 13-to-11 shots on target battle. 
 
Ellis (3-2-5) tallied the third-most saves this season with ten, bringing her career total to 232. 
 
Northwest's Career Saves
1. 394 - Kelsey Adams, 2010-13
2. 339 - Kathie Leach, 1999-01
3. 306 - Alison Sheridan, 2003-06
4. 232– Lily Ellis, 2022-pres.
5. 204 - Ashley Malloy, 2014-17
6. 196 - Kira Lazenby, 2008-09
7. 174 - Alexis Serna Castillo, 2018-21
8. 156 - Michelle Goold, 2002, 04-05
9. 108 - Danielle Lawless, 2001-03
10. 77 - Ashley Williams, 2020-21
 
Northwest returns to its home pitch on Sunday, Oct. 13, to square up against the Rogers State University Hillcats at 1 p.m.
 
NOTES:
West scored her second career goal…Theoharidis nets her fifth goal of the season and seventh of career…Arnau has tallied four goals this fall…Gordon's header etches her third goal of the season…West leads the Bearcats with three assists…Theoharidis leads Northwest with 12 points and five goals…