WINONA LAKE, Ind. - Continuing its grueling four-match road swing to open the 2024 season, William Woods (1-0-2) remained unbeaten thanks to an 89th minute goal by
Miles Andrews as the Owls earned a 1-1 draw against no. 7 Grace College (0-0-1) on Thursday.
"Today was a national tournament level intensity and a fantastic learning opportunity to show our mettle," said head coach
Tommy Nienhaus. "The game had a natural ebb and flow. We started well in the first half and ended well in the second half. We managed the moments where we were put on our heels and managed it well. This result helps us build momentum."
The match opened up with a quick tempo, with both teams pushing early. Woods had the first chance on goal, but Andrews's effort was saved by Matteo Conci.
Grace managed to get on the board first, taking advantage of a misplayed clearance by the Owls defense. Kyle Holwerda gave chase as the ball was passed back to
Matthew Dworak. The ball took an awkward bounce as Dworak tried to collect it and popped up to Holwerda, who slotted it in the left corner.
Despite needing to chase the match against a top-10 team, Woods kept its composure, mustering a couple of solid chances down the stretch in the first half.
The Lancers forced Dworak into a big save in the 46th minute, playing a direct ball forward to the feet of Josh Cruz. The dipping shot forced Dworak to parry it in front then dive and cover up the loose ball as Grace had an attacker right on the doorstep.
Alejo Marcaccini returned the favor for Woods in the 51st minute, with his dipping left-footer forcing Conci into a parry and cover.
The Owls withstood a sustained press from Grace over the next several minutes before coming close to leveling the score in the 73rd minute. Woods brought the ball up the left wing, with a left-footed blast by Andrews caroming off a defender. Conci was able to react quickly and pounce on the ball.
The effort energized WWU, as they began to sense an opportunity to equalize, but it took them until the 88th minute to make good.
After earning a corner kick, the Owls played it short with Marcaccini and
Pedro Salmon passing it back and forth as space opened up. Salmon put the final pass on to the feet of Andrews, who took a hard feint then blasted a shot through traffic and into the back of the net.
Neither team was able to find a clear stretch of possession over the final two minutes, as the match ended 1-1.
The Owls wrap up their four-game road swing on Saturday, visiting no. 6 Bethel. The match is set for a 3 p.m. EDT (2 p.m. CDT) kickoff.
