KEARNEY, Neb. - Lola Weiss netted an early score and Morgan Perkins stood tall in goal to lead University of Sioux Falls Soccer to a 1-1 draw with William Jewell on Friday night. The Cougars (0-0-1) opened the season with a draw, holding off the Cardinal attack that held a 17-shot advantage.
 
As one of the leading returning scorers, Weiss scored in the 11th minute for the Cougars. Freshman winger Lauren LaFavre beat a trio of William Jewell defenders and found Weiss just inside the 18-yard box and the senior striker found the back of the net for a 1-0 lead.
 
The remainder of the first half was slanted in favor of the WJC offense, which fired six total shots on goal and all were turned away by Perkins, who finished with 14 saves.
 
After the intermission, LaFavre launched her two shots, but both were wide of the frame. Alexa D'Acunto continued the USF push forward with a shot from the right side that was saved by the William Jewell keeper.
 
Just over 14 minutes into the second half, the Cardinals netted the equalizer when Emily Monroe beat Perkins for their only goal of the night.
 
William Jewel continued to control the pace and would add three more shots on goal only to have them saved by Perkins to force extra time.
 
Perkins turned away a shot in the opening minute of the first overtime period, but McKayla Philippi was handed a second yellow card in the 95th minute, forcing the Cougars to play a man down for the remainder of the game. Perkins continued to be a wall in goal, saving two more shots in the 97th and 98th minute to force a second overtime.
 
The Cougars were fortunate in the 102nd minute as WJC's shot hit the post and caromed away from goal to keep the game knotted at 1-1. Perkins faced one more shot in the game and was up to task, adding her 14th save of the game as the Cougars earned the draw.
 
Sioux Falls finishes their road trip with a 2 p.m. match against Rockhurst on Sunday, Sept. 4 in Kearney, Neb.