ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The East Central University soccer team opened Great American Conference play on the road Thursday afternoon, earning a crucial 2-2 draw against Ouachita Baptist University at Kluck Field.
 
The result marked an important momentum shift for the Tigers, who battled through 90 minutes to earn a gritty draw in their GAC opener.
 
After a scoreless first half, the action intensified in the final 30 minutes as the two teams combined for four goals in a back-and-forth finish.
 
Ouachita Baptist broke through first in the 64th minute with a goal off a counterattack, taking a 1-0 lead. But ECU responded with urgency, scoring two goals in the final 12 minutes to flip the script.
 
Avery Spadoni provided the equalizer in the 78th minute, heading in a well-placed corner from Melieah Hinnant to level the match at 1-1. In the 86th, ECU seized control after a scramble in the box led to a composed finish by Reece Roberson, delivered off the assist by Giselle Heck, to take the 2-1 lead.
 
However, with less than four minutes remaining, Ouachita Baptist earned a penalty kick after a handball was called inside the box. The hosts converted from the spot to tie the match at 2-2, and neither side could find a winner in the final minutes.
 
Statistically, the match was even, with both teams registering 14 shots. ECU held a 6-2 advantage in corner kicks and controlled 54% of the possession, while goalkeeper Madison Mayhall recorded four saves to help preserve the result.
 
Avery Spadoni extended her scoring run, notching her second consecutive goal, while Reece Roberson broke through for her first of the season. Ava Jordan fired off four shots on goal, while Ximena Resendiz and Melieah Hinnant each recorded two.
 
ECU returns to action Saturday to wrap up their Arkansas trip, facing Harding University in a GAC showdown at 11:00 a.m.