GOSHEN, Ind. — Mari Williams scored in the 13th minute and the Indiana University Northwest women's soccer team dominated the shot column, but a stoppage-time equalizer from Goshen salvaged a 1-1 draw on Saturday.
The RedHawks came out firing, controlling possession and peppering Goshen goalkeeper Hailey Ballast from the opening minutes. Williams tested her twice in the first three minutes, and Xiomara Santana added another shot on frame before the RedHawks broke through. In the 13th minute, Williams corralled a loose ball above the top of the box and buried it for an unassisted goal, her fourth of the season, to give IUN a 1-0 lead.
IUN continued to press for the remainder of the half, out-shooting Goshen 11-4 in the opening 45 minutes. Piper Ellenberger, Alanis Gonzalez and Santana all had looks on goal, but Ballast held firm to keep Goshen within a goal at the break.
The RedHawks kept the pressure on in the second half, generating corner kick after corner kick behind Ava Haluska. Hannah Pesich and Ava Haluska both tested Ballast in the opening minutes of the half, and Xiomara Santana rattled the crossbar in the 83rd minute as IUN searched for a second goal to extend the lead.
Just when it appeared IUN would hold on, Goshen answered. In the 85th minute, Natalie Boulier set up Eliana Lang off a second touch from a free kick, and Lang finished from close range to level the match at 1-1. The RedHawks pushed for a response in the closing minutes, with Araceli Mendez and Santana both testing Ballast, but neither side found a winner.
Kaleigh Blatti finished with four saves for IUN, while Ballast turned aside eight shots in a busy afternoon for Goshen. The RedHawks finished with a commanding 24-10 advantage in shots and an 8-1 edge on corner kicks.
With the result, Indiana Northwest moves to 4-2-1 on the season. The RedHawks return home next, hosting RV Aquinas (Mich.) at East Chicago Central High School. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. CDT.
