MARIETTA, Ga. --- In their second home game of the season, the Life University women's soccer team recorded a gritty, hard-fought draw against No. 19 Georgia Gwinnett Thursday night on Lupo Family Field.

The game played out as a chippy, defensive struggle as both teams cut short the other's offensive oppoortunities, Life U (0-1-1) trailing No. 19 Georgia Gwinnett (2-0-4) in shots taken 11-7, but leading in corner kicks 5-2. Grace Staunton put together a strong game in goal for the Running Eagles, helping the team lead in saves 5-2. The Grizzlies found themselves on the wrong side of the whistle more often than Life U tonight, leading in fouls 15-12 and earning the only yellow card of the game.

For a game that ended without much offensive output, the game started with excitement for both sides. GGC recorded the first goal of the game in just the sixth minute to take an early 1-0 lead, but just four minutes later Lilja Olafsdottir booted a ball from extreme distance off a pass from Sarah Slingluff that entered the net just above the outstretched fingers of the Grizzlies goal keeper to tie the game at 1-1. Georgia Gwinnett held the offensive momentum the majority of what was left of the first half, but the Life U defenders held on to see the game enter the break tied 1-1.

The second half opened with the Running Eagles applying pressure on the attack, but neither team could break through for the go ahead score. Once time started to wind down, Life U created one last great opportunity at the pulling off the upset victory, Thora Hreggvisdottir taking a one-on-one shot, but it was saved by the GGC goal keeper to see the game end in a 1-1 tie.

The Running Eagles play their first road contest next, traveling to No. 18 SCAD-Savannah for a 3 PM contest Sunday, September 11.