Racing Louisville and Kansas City played to a 1-1 draw in the teams’ NWSL Challenge Cup opener Friday night at Lynn Family Stadium.

Cece Kizer put Racing Louisville on the board first in the 20th minute, picking up the ball in her own half before finding teammate Jessica McDonald. From the flank, McDonald picked out Kizer, who split the Kansas City defense and slotted it home for a 1-0 lead.

With the goal, Kizer picked up right where she left off last year, her first with expansion club Racing Louisville. The forward finished the 2021 regular season sixth on the NWSL scoring list with five goals.

The Current continued to push for an equalizer, which finally came in the 78th minute. Lynn Williams dispossessed Louisville’s defender and set up Addie McCain, who tied the game 1-1 after subbing in for Sam Mewis.

The 1-1 scoreline held despite a series of late-game chances from Kansas City.

Next up: Next Friday, Racing Louisville host the Houston Dash, while the Kansas City Current travel to Chicago to take on the Red Stars.