LEBANON, Ill. – The 20th-ranked Hillcats (0-0-1) and the fourth-ranked Bearcats (0-0-1) battled to a 1-1 draw in their season-opening matchup at Leemon Field on Thursday night.
 
"I think it was a game of two halves," commented first-year head coach Jake Simpson in his first game leading the team. "I believe we were very impressive in the first half, and we learned a lot from the momentum and change of style in the second half. We aren't happy to be leaving with just a draw, but we grew as a team tonight."
 
The Hillcats dominated possession in the first half, outshooting the Bearcats 7-1 and earning three corner kicks.
 
In the 28th minute, sophomore Ashton Medina scored the first goal of the match, marking his second career goal in his first career start, with the assist coming from junior Kaleb Trussell. Freshman Harkaran Sahota and senior captain Artur Carvalho each attempted shots in the final five minutes of the half, but the score remained 1-0 at halftime.
 
McKendree found its offensive rhythm early in the second half, as Florian Ohk scored the equalizer. Neither team was able to score again for the remainder of the match, resulting in a draw in the top 20 clash.
 
Sophomore Jaxon Kendall received the nod to start in goal for RSU. The Owasso native finished the match with four saves in the 90 minutes. Carvalho and Sam Ryder also played the complete game without leaving the pitch.
 
Rogers State will remain up north to take on the Maryville Saints on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. from Maryville Soccer Field in St. Louis, Missouri.