Riverside—Redshirt freshman Jessica Samano scored the first goal of her collegiate career Friday evening in helping the UC Riverside Women's Soccer Team to a 1-1 tie against visiting Southern Utah.

Neither team dented the back of the net in the first half, but the Thunderbirds had a couple of near misses as they outshot the Highlanders 7-2 over the first 45 minutes of play.

It was still a scoreless match with just over 12 minutes gone in the second, when UC Riverside marched into Thunderbirds territory, forcing a corner kick. Kyra Taylor set up for the subsequent set piece, and her cross sailed into the center of the T'Birds' 18, where Samano headed it home for the 1-0 lead.

The Highlanders tried to add to their advantage, outshooting Southern Utah 11-5 in the second half, but with less than five minutes remaining in regulation, Abbie Flandro's cross found Payton Bonino on the left side of the goal, and Bonino's shot tied the score.

Both teams kept their nets clean in the extra stanzas, en route to the 1-1 tie.

The Highlanders are off for a week before heading to Michigan on Friday, September 9 for the first of four straight matches away from the friendly confines of the UC Riverside Soccer Stadium. Kick off in Ann Arbor is slated for 4:30 pm PT.