MACON, Ga. – Buoyed by a career-high 10 saves from senior goalkeeper Myia Danek (Laingsburg, Mich./Laingsburg), the University of Evansville women's soccer team was able to earn a 0-0 draw against the Mercer Bears on Thursday night at Mercer's Betts Stadium in Macon, Georgia to open the 2023 regular-season.

Danek opened the match turning away six shots in the opening half, as the Bears, who were undefeated at Betts Stadium a year ago, came out firing to begin the match.  Mercer would take the first seven shots of the match, before UE freshman forward Taylor Johnson (Evansville, Ind./Reitz) was able to change the complexion of the match as a sub in the 25th minute.  Johnson would record a shot just two minutes into her Evansville career, and she tallied a pair of shots in the half's final 20 minutes as UE played even with the Bears to close out the first half of play.

Mercer once again came out firing to start the second half, but Danek recorded a pair of saves in the first 15 minutes of the second half to keep the match scoreless.  Johnson would record her third shot of the match on goal in the 67th minute, but was turned away by Mercer goalkeeper Lindsay Bell.  It would be the final shot on goal for either side in the match, as both teams had chances late, but neither team could get a shot on target.

Johnson's three shots led Evansville, with fifth-year midfielder Nicole Benati firing off two shots as well.  Senior defender Emily Wiebe and freshman forward A'Liyah Warrick also recorded shots for UE.  Midfielder Chandler Lewis-Jenkins led Mercer with six shots on the night.  The Bears were 9-4-7 a year ago, including going 7-0-3 at home last season.

Evansville will now return home for a week of training, before returning to the road next Thursday to take on Southeast Missouri State in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.  Kick-off is set for 6 p.m. central, and the match can be seen live on ESPN+.