COLUMBIA, Mo. - For the first time in seven years, (RV) William Woods University (7-2-5, 3-0-1 American Midwest Conference) avoided defeat at AMC rival, No. 16 Columbia College (8-2-3, 3-0-1), staying unbeaten in the AMC with a 0-0 draw Wednesday at R. Marvin Owens Field.
"Well-earned draw on the road," William Woods men's soccer coach
Tommy Nienhaus said. "Love the support we got from the traveling students. At times, it felt like a home game!"
Rising to the occasion to help the Owls to that impressive draw that keeps them in the front of the pack for the AMC Tournament No. 1 seed, goalkeeper
Matthew Dworak made a season-, match-high eight saves in as many attempts to post his team-leading fourth shutout this year. It was the Owls' junior shot-stopper's most saves since the first game of his college career, when he tallied nine saves in a 6-0 loss at Ottawa University on Sep. 7, 2022.
Dworak wasn't called to action much in the first half, which was neck and neck. Each team had three shots. All three of WWU's shots were on goal, and one of CC's was on goal.
It was a different story in the second half, with Dworak denying all seven of the Cougars' shots on goal. While that happened, the Owls only mustered two shots (none on goal).
The Owls had to have been the more pleased team with the tie, as they had 16 fewer shots, five more saves and two fewer corner kicks (4-2) than the hosts.
"Tale of two halves," Neinhaus said. "We had more possession and better chances in the first but wasn't quite there. We let them dictate too much in the second half and hit a rough 20-minute patch. Overall, we matched their energy and yet didn't feel we were at our best. We need guys to step up in big games."
Columbia goalkeeper Alejandro Munoz (7-2-3) made three saves, all in the first half. The sophomore from Elche, Spain, registered his fourth shutout this season.
After extending its unbeaten streak to six games, William Woods will play in front of its home fans for the next three games. The first game will be against first-year AMC member Mission University (1-7, 0-4 AMC) at 7 p.m. Tuesday at North Campus Athletic Complex in Fulton.
"Looking forward to home stretch," Nienhaus said.
