FAYETTE, Mo. – In their Heart of America Athletic Conference opener, William Woods University (2-1-1, 0-0-1 HAAC) played to a 2-2 draw against Central Methodist University (2-1-2, 0-0-1 HAAC) in a high-energy contest on Saturday. The Owls saw goals from Alejo Marcaccini and Grant Barron—each scoring their first of the 2025 season—off assists from Charlie Williams and Kyle Kaemmerer, respectively.

After a scoreless first half, which saw the Owls register four shots on goal—all saved by the CMU keeper—both teams came out firing in the second. WWU goalkeeper Matthew Dworak made three key saves in the opening 45 minutes to keep the match level heading into halftime.

The Owls broke the deadlock in the 55th minute when standout midfielder Charlie Williams set up Marcaccini, who slotted the ball just past the outstretched arms of the Eagles' keeper for a 1-0 lead.

Six minutes later, WWU doubled its advantage. Junior midfielder Grant Barron, a transfer from Tennessee Wesleyan, received a pass from Kaemmerer about 20 yards out and launched a powerful shot over the CMU goalkeeper to put the Owls up 2-0. The goal marked Barron's first in an Owls uniform.

However, Central Methodist responded quickly, cutting the deficit to one just two minutes later on a chaotic sequence that slipped past Dworak. Despite the Owls defense holding firm through multiple CMU attacks, the Eagles eventually found the equalizer. In the 83rd minute, Matteo Giora redirected a corner kick into the net, leveling the score at 2-2.

Neither side was able to break the deadlock in the final minutes, and the match ended in a hard-fought draw.

William Woods returns to action on Wednesday night, hosting Baker University in what will be the program's first-ever Heart of America Conference home game. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the North Campus Athletic Complex.