Box Score Despite suffering an almost immediate setback in their opening match of 2016, the McMaster Marauders battled to a deserved draw with the Western Mustangs at Ron Joyce Stadium Saturday.

A red card was produced in the very first minute of play, with McMaster's Talia Merino-Sierra the recipient, as her breakaway-saving tackle was adjudged to be a foul on a player with a clear path to goal. The dismissal left Mac with 10 players and nearly the full 90 minutes left to play.

Not deterred by the early catastrophe, the Marauders worked their way back into play, and saw midfielder Jessie Faber force a difficult save from a set piece in the 30th minute. Play remained even and without a goal until the very last minute of regulation in the first half, when a hand ball in the box led to a spot kick in favour of the Marauders. Veteran striker Anne Yeboah stepped up confidently and slotted into the side netting to give the hosts the lead just as the whistle blew for the interval.

It seemed for much of the second half that McMaster may improbably snatch the full three points on the afternoon, but Western turned up the pressure as the game approached its final 15 minutes. After a pair of close calls, the Mustangs found their opening in the 73rd minute, when a well-placed through ball from Amy Lintack sent Vanessa Guglietti in alone on goal, and she stepped past the keeper and rolled in to level the match at a goal apiece.

The Marauders saw one final, quality chance go begging in the 84th minute, before the teams ultimately settled for the draw and split points on the OUA's opening day of competition.

McMaster concludes a two-match weekend with a trip to Windsor on Sunday, where they will play the Lancers at 1:00 p.m.