FAYETTE, Iowa - The Upper Iowa women's (0-0-1) soccer team scored two quick goals in the final five minutes of Thursday's season opener against Roosevelt (0-0-1) to pick up the 2-2 draw. Freshman Kea Cabanilla-Ku and senior Haylie Hutchinson each scored a goal in UIU's first match of the season.
In the 86th minute, Hutchinson dumped the ball into the zone from the near corner. Cabanilla-Ku headed it through contact from a defender and got it to bounce into the net for her first career goal.
A minute later, Giovanna Alexa Garcia sent the ball down from the 30 yard-line near the goal. After a Laker defender and the goalkeeper collided, Hutchinson knocked the ball in for the equalizer. The Peacocks allowed only one more shot for the rest of the game to pick up the draw.
Roosevelt opened the game with a goal by Regina Rosales in the 44th minute to take a 1-0 lead at halftime. The second goal of the game for the Lakers came in the 60th minute for the two-goal lead.
The Lakers outshot the Peacocks 18-15, but the Peacocks created more corner kick opportunities, 5-3. Goalkeeper Avery Harding totaled four saves for the Peacocks while RU goalkeeper Kaylee Sarnicola had four as well.
Hutchinson led the team with a goal, an assist and five shots, two on goal. Her five shots on Thursday were the most in her Peacock career. The senior totaled 73 minutes on the pitch.
Cabanilla-Ku added two shots, both on goal. Alexa Garcia had a shot and an assist. Aeryn Hatico totaled two shots, one on goal and Rhea Buchanan also had a shot on goal. Buchanan, Taylor Marie Inocelda-Bihag and Meghan Zwicker played all 90 minutes on defense.
Arias led the Lakers with a goal, five shots and two shots on goal. Rosales scored on her only shot of the game. Aaliyah Leanos added five shots, one on goal.
Thursday's result marked a significant turnaround from last season's 5-1 loss to the Lakers. The Peacocks generated 12 more shots than they did in last season's nonconference game in Arlington Heights, Illinois.
The Peacocks return to Harms-Eischeid Stadium for their second and final nonconference game against Southwest Minnesota State (0-1). The Mustangs fell to Ferris State (Mich.) (1-0) in their season opener on Thursday.
