CLEVELAND, MS- The Miners kicked off their season in a positive way with a 1-1 draw over the Statesmen of Delta State.

Jess Haller (Eureka, Mo./Eureka) got the ball rolling for S&T with an early shot on goal that nearly got past DSU's goalkeeper, Amanda Hilliard. Just five minutes later, Courtney Pyrtle (Foristell, Mo./Timberland) and Kayla Foster (Sand Springs, Okla./Charles Page) took back-to-back shots to challenge Hilliard.

Miner's starting goalkeeper, Kristin Steins (Ballwin, Mo./Parkway South), faced just one shot on-goal in the opening 45 minutes.

Peyton Carter (Overland Park, KS/Blue Valley West) gets bragging rights for the first goal of the season in the 67' when Chayse Richardson (Collinsville, Ill./Collinsville) found Carter streaking to the box.

Delta State kept the pressure up throughout the second half and put the pressure on Steins as time began to ran out. DSU caught their break and tied the game when Anoucke Baas completed a penalty kick with less than four minutes in regulation time.

The Miners and Statemen battled to the very end but neither could come up with a game winning goal and settled for a 1-1 draw in their season opener.

Along with Carter's goal, Kayla Foster (Sand Springs, Okla./Charles Page) and Jess Haller (Eureka, Mo./Eureka) led the way with two shots on goal each while Courtney Pyrtle (Foristell, Mo./Timberland) and Paige Jackson (St. Louis, MO/Incarnate Word Academy) also recorded one shot a piece.

Kristin Steins (Ballwin, Mo./Parkway South) played the entire 110 minutes in goal tonight while recording four saves.

The Miners will be back in action on Sunday when they take on the Buccaneers of Christian Brothers University. Kick-off is scheduled for 12 p.m.