Truett-McConnell University (Georgia) and Georgia Gwinnett College women's soccer teams stood just two places apart, at No. 20 and No. 22 respectively, in this season's first NAIA Top 25 poll. So, it may be fitting that the teams battled to a 1-1 draw after battling for 90 minutes Thursday night at the Grizzly Soccer Complex.

The visiting Bears (0-2-2) held an early advantage after scoring in the eighth minute when Nadia Ivanchenko's perfectly placed shot floated under the GGC crossbar.

The Grizzlies (2-1-2) squared the match at 1-1 after senior Kyara Armenta converted a penalty kick in the 16th minute. Truett-McConnell had committed a foul as GGC was threatening inside the opposing 18-yard box.

Truett-McConnell registered six shots in the first half and added five more shots during the opening moments of the second 45 minutes. Junior goalkeeper Matilda Johansson stood tall in goal, stopping three of second-half shots that were on goal.

The hosts then took over momentum during the final 24 minutes, collecting six shots in hopes of scoring the elusive second goal. Freshman Gabriela Rosas missed an empty-net situation in the 54th minute after evading Truett-McConnell goalkeeper Emilie Taylor and a defender. Senior Victoria Watson struck the right post with a shot in the 67th minute.

Later, Watson was denied by Taylor in the 79th minute. A shot by GGC freshman Riko Yasuzawa was initially stopped before Watson was alone with the rebound at the edge of the six-yard box in front of the opposing goal.

Two minutes later, Armenta had a shot from the top of 18-yard box stopped by a diving Taylor to keep the match tied.

Truett-McConnell outshot the Grizzlies by a 14-10 margin, but GGC had seven shots during the second half. The hosts also collected each of the four corner kicks attempted in the match.


  "It's hard to feel good about a draw considering the chances that we had at the end of the game. We keep competing, but we have to be better at finishing our scoring chances. We've played three top-20 teams in a row with only one loss, so we're right there," said Head Coach Dr. Mike Giuliano.
  Neither team could find that elusive second goal to leave Thursday's match with a victory. The Grizzlies hit the goal post and had two excellent scoring chances denied within the final 15 minutes. Senior Victoria Watson struck the right post in the 67th minute and was stopped on a rebound effort during the 79th minute. Senior Kyara Armenta had a shot denied by goalkeeper opposing Emilie Taylor two minutes later.
  8' – Nadia Ivanchenko, TMU (unassisted)
16' – Kyara Armenta, GGC (Penalty kick)
 

• Truett-McConnell held a 14-10 shot advantage in the match
• The Grizzlies recorded the only four corner kicks during the 90 minutes of action
• Seven of GGC's 10 shots came in the second half
• Senior Victoria Watson struck the goal post and had a shot from the six-yard box turned away in the second half; Watson had a match-high three shots

• GGC is 2-1-2 on the season; Truett-McConnell stands 0-2-2 this fall
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 22 in the first regular season NAIA Top 25 poll; Truett-McConnell stood No. 20 in the same poll
• GGC leads the all-time series by a 4-1-2 margin
• Georgia Gwinnett College is 1-0-1 at the Grizzly Soccer Complex this season

Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to host Brewton-Parker College (Georgia) on Saturday, September 9, at the Grizzly Soccer Complex, starting at 5 p.m.