(LEBANON, Ill., Sep. 3)- The McKendree University women's soccer team took a 2-1 lead late in the second half, but settled for a 2-2 tie in double overtime on Thursday in its season opener against University of North Alabama.

The Bearcats are now 0-0-1 overall on the season and will travel to Jackson, Tenn., to face Union University in a non-conference match on Monday, Sep. 7 at 11 a.m.

The Lions struck first in the contest in the 22nd minute on a goal by Chloe Richards off a pass from Beatriz Fernandes and held on for the remainder of the half to hold a 1-0 lead at the break.

McKendree knotted the score at 1-1 in the 66th minute on a free kick by junior Alyssa Reiniger (Maryville, Ill./Collinsville) that was headed past the North Alabama goalkeeper by sophomore Chelsea Whittaker (Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand/St Hilda's Collegiate School). The Bearcats struck again in the 87th minute on a goal by senior Alyssa Patterson (Troy, Ill./Triad) off a pass from freshman Sydnee Carroll (Millstadt, Ill./Belleville West) to take a 2-1 lead, but the Lions responded with a goal 15 seconds later off the restart by Eleanor Costello from Fernandes to tie the game at 2-2.

The game remained tied through the end of regulation and niether team could find the back of the net in both overtimes to end the game in a 2-2 draw.

Senior Taylor Zerbe (St. Louis, Mo./Trinity Catholic) had nine saves in the draw and moved to 0-0-1 in goal this season.