MACOMB, Ill. – After an early Missouri State goal, Amy Andrews and Bridget Schuler responded with a pair of goals in the top right corner to win the regular-season opener 2-1 for Western Illinois on Friday  (Aug. 23).
 
"We escaped a poor start today," Director of Soccer Dr. Eric Johnson said." But we recovered enough to be in the game in the second half. Two good goals from our side and a better second half got us a home win. Proud of our effort.
 
Quickly into the campaign for both teams, Anna Durnin (3') gave the Bears a 1-0 advantage on the first shot of the match, but the backline and Ines Palmiero Herrera limited them to just four more total shots with two saves. 
 
Western responded to Missouri State when Natalie Nagle and Cassidy Grunewald linked up on quick passes to find Andrews who buried it in the top right corner to tie it 1-1 at the 24-minute mark.
 
The Purple and Gold threatened early into the second half. Bridget Schuler (63') found a bouncing ball inside the box and one-timed beating the Bears keeper upper 90.
 
Western Illinois now hits the road for weekend action at IUPUI (Aug. 30) and Kansas City (Sept. 1).