aFinal Score: Lipscomb 0, Evansville 0
Location: Evansville, Ind. (Arad McCutchan Stadium)
Records: Lipscomb (0-0-1), Evansville (0-0-1)
 
Nineteen Bisons saw time on the pitch during the season opener where they tied the Aces to start the year scoreless against Evansville. It was the second-ever match of the teams facing each other and the first to end in a draw.
 
With this season's roster being composed of over 50% of new faces, eleven newcomers to the team saw time in the opener, five of whom are true freshmen. Both the Bisons and Aces started the match off with a lot of energy, eager to get the season started, but neither side was able to find an opening for a goal until the second half.
 
Despite the Bisons getting good looks at the net, both teams went into the second half of the match scoreless. Lipscomb earned six shots, four corner kicks, and two free kicks during the first 45 minutes but was unable to capitalize on the opportunities. Conversely, the Bisons were able to defend against two shots, one corner kick, and six free kicks from the Aces to keep them off the board.
 
Lipscomb entered the second half with a fire lit under them, taking seven shots in the last 45 minutes to total thirteen shots, four being on goal, by the time the final buzzer sounded. Senior captain Kiara Pralle led the team with seven shots, followed by sophomore Bella Carapazza with three.
 
Lipscomb may not have been able to translate on offense, but the defense, led by senior captain Paige Archbold, worked hard to lock the Aces up as well. With a total of three shots (one on goal), seven corner kicks, and eleven free kicks, Evansville was unable to put the ball in the net for the entirety of the match. In her freshman debut and first collegiate start, Tatum Ahlemeyer was a force to be dealt with in Archbold's backfield alongside Kaïna Cesar, who recorded her first collegiate save, to hold the Aces scoreless.
 
Coach O'Brien spoke highly of the team's performance, despite the desire to leave Evansville with a win under their belts. "For me, it was exactly what we were looking for. I think we continue to develop an understanding of how we want to play together and that's important," O'Brien reported after the game. "As a coach, you're just looking for improvement and performance week-in and week-out."
 
The Bisons look forward to hosting their Home Opener at the Lipscomb Soccer Complex on Sunday, Aug. 18^th. Lipscomb will battle for their first victory of the season against the Alabama A&M Bulldogs at 4:00 PM CT.