BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. – (Box Score) Blue Mountain Christian women opened the 2023 campaign against River States Conference Preseason No. 1 Indiana University-Kokomo, playing the Cougars to a 1-1 tie.
Both defenses played to a nil score in the first half before the Cougars broke the ice with a goal from Elaina Page at the 54:47 mark in the second half.  Page's goal came on a pass from Kaiya Bogers that found the top-center of the net over Topper keeper Jordan Gates.
Blue Mountain would tie it just a couple minutes later, as Maria Diedrick scored a beautiful, unassisted header past Cougar goalie Kailee Moore.
The Toppers would get a couple more tries deep in Cougar territory but couldn't put another one away for the win.
Gates was solid for Blue Mountain, getting shot at eight times with seven saves.  The Topper defense aided her in the first, only allowing two shots on goal in the first half.
Blue Mountain would get off 24 total shots in the game, 12 in each half.
"Our girls played hard today against a really good team," BMCU head coach Lauren Lear said.  "I was really pleased with how we bounced back after Kokomo scored their first goal.  We didn't panic and kept the same intensity.  Despite the tie, I'm happy with our outing today."
Blue Mountain (0-0-1) returns to action Saturday, August 26 against NCAA DII Mississippi College in Clinton, Miss. at 3 p.m. CT.
 
 
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