COLUMBUS, Ind. -- Adversity hits every team in any season. The amount of variables and individuals involved in team sports, as well the changing landscape of life, make facing adversity inevitable for any individual, let alone an entire team.

However, it's how that individual, or group of people, respond to the setbacks that ultimately define that person or team's season -- whether it is an athletic season or the seasons of life.

The women's soccer program at Shawnee State took a major step forward in that direction Saturday evening, as the Bears, despite playing short-handed due to injury, got key contributions from several players in a big River States Conference-opening triumph over Indiana-Columbus.

Robyn Drinkwater's first goal of the season in the 19th minute, a 35th minute goal from Annie Coriell, an 83rd minute goal from Elizabeth Brown, a 90th minute salvo from Anna Sas and a massive 10-save effort from Shawnee State sophomore goalkeeper Harlee Brand allowed the Bears to defeat the Crimson Pride, 4-0, in a road match that was held at Richard Wigh Soccer Complex in Columbus, Ind.
The victory was especially impressive considering that Shawnee State was missing its leading offensive producer in Lucie Ashkettle, who is out due to injury but is expected to return this season.

Despite Ashkettle's absence, the Bears' offense was productive on multiple fronts as the shot distribution, and Shawnee State's defensive effort on the opposite end of the pitch, only enhanced as the match went along.

Facing a 9-8 shot deficit over the game's first 30 minutes, the Bears controlled the Crimson Pride as Shawnee State posted a 17-4 shot advantage over the last 60 ticks.
Even while facing a good amount of pressure over the first half-hour of the contest, Shawnee State's Harlee Brand didn't fold in goal. The sophomore, in fact, made eight huge first half saves -- making two saves in the opening minute as well as stops in the sixth, 10th, 14th, 24th, 30th and 35th minutes of play to keep Indiana-Columbus out of the back of the net.

Brand, who made 10 saves in the match, made her most saves in a game without allowing a goal -- and posted her third-most saves in a match overall. After five initial attempts to post the game's opening goal between Annie Coriell, Haynna Addy -- who just missed connecting on three shots -- and Madison Culp, who had her fourth minute shot hit off of the crossbar -- Robyn Drinkwater got the scoring started as the redshirt junior scored her first goal of the 2025 season 19 minutes into the match.

Drinkwater scored her maiden goal in 2025 and, along with four assists earlier in the season, now has six points in 2025 in all. For her career, Drinkwater has eight goals, eight assists and 24 points in a Shawnee State uniform.