IRVINE, Calif. –
Ava Johnson's late strike enabled Southern Oregon to take a point off the No. 23-ranked team in the NAIA, Westcliff (Calif.), with a 1-1 draw on Monday morning at Orange Country Great Park.
Johnson leveled the Raiders (1-0-1 overall) with the Warriors (0-1-2) in the 78th minute, when a deflected ball came her way and she one-hopped a powerful strike past keeper Lola Carson from atop the box.
The equalizer arrived less than two minutes after SOU missed wide on a penalty kick for the tie.
Westcliff's Samatha Aguila shook a defender and got off a well-placed strike from the left side for the first goal of the game in the 54th minute, but the Raiders dictated the run of play for most of the second half. They ran up a 13-7 advantage in total shots, totaling nine after the break, though Carson kept them off the board with five saves before Johnson converted.
Johnson, a junior from West Sacramento, Calif., contributed a goal for the first time since SOU's 2025 opener and put another shot on frame.
SOU keeper
Ashlyn Fuss had three saves and only needed to make one stop in the second half.
The positive result was the Raiders' sixth this decade against a nationally-ranked opponent. They'll get a shot at another on Thursday, when they visit No. 3 Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) at 7 p.m.
