CLAREMORE, Okla. – After some early fireworks, Rogers State women's soccer (1-1-1) fought to a 1-1 draw with UT Tyler (1-0-1) in the home opener on Thursday.
 
Vanessa Gonzalez got on the score sheet for the first time in 2023 as she netted the Hillcats' lone goal on the night with Morgan Martucci earning the assist. Tiffany Brittan (1-1) made four saves in goal while allowing a goal.
 
The game started with a bang as the Patriots immediately went on the attach out of the kickoff and scored just 59 seconds into the match with Alexia Moreira heading in a shot from Melissa Oliveria. However, the fun wasn't over as RSU turned around and marched down the field with Vanessa Gonzalez firing in the equalizer to make it 1-1 off a pass from Morgan Martucci in the fourth minute. From there, things began to settle down as both sides cranked up the defensive pressure. In the remainder of the period, the Patriots barely outshot the Hillcats four to three with RSU taking two shots on goal compared to just one for UTT.
 
The second half continued the defensive stalemate of the final 40 minutes of the opening period. Again, the Patriots outshot the Hillcats five to three with both sides taking two shots on target apiece. Neither team could get much going in the way of offense in the period, but UTT made one final attempt to steal the win in the 89th minute only for Brittan to make the save and force the draw.
 
The Hillcats will now began a three-game road trip on Monday, Sept. 11 with a stop in Ada, Okla. for a matchup against East Central. Kickoff is slated for 4 p.m.