Story courtesy of Indiana University Kokomo Athletics

KOKOMO, Ind. - The IU Kokomo women's soccer team opened River States Conference play Thursday evening at home against Rio Grande. The fifth-match between the two programs in the last three years ended in a 0-0 draw.

With the two teams being picked to finish 1-2 in the RSC Women's Soccer Coaches' Preseason Poll, Thursday's match was billed as the first RSC Women's Soccer Match of the Week of the year.

On a windy night in the Kokomo countryside, it was Rio Grande who played with the strong wind at their backs in the opening half. IU Kokomo goalkeeper Kailee Moore was forced to make three saves in the opening 11 minutes, as possession was dominated by the RedStorm in the first half.

IU Kokomo failed to register a shot on goal in the opening 45 minutes despite earning two corner kicks to Rio's one.

As both coaches opted to send their starting eleven back out for the beginning of the second half, IU Kokomo junior Kaiya Bogers delivered the Cougars first shot on target of the night, forcing Rio Grande's Alba Vilades Marin to make her first save of the match.

Mackenzie Gibbons recorded a pair of shots on goal just about 15 minutes into the second half, including one that nearly sailed over the keeper's head thanks to the wind at Gibbons's back. 

The RedStorm's best scoring chance of the night arguably came in the 66th minute, where Amelia Willis's shot clanked off the cross bar before being cleared by IU Kokomo.

IU Kokomo had a few long-range shots miss the target in the final few minutes, as the River States Conference opener for the Cougars and RedStorm ended in a scoreless draw. 

Kailee Moore stopped all six RedStorm shots faced on the night, all while maintaining a dominant presence in goal for the Cougs.