Record Champions Blazers were held to a 1-1 draw by United States International University USIU - A Spartans in a Kenya Hockey Union women's Premier League match at the City Park Stadium on Sunday.
Veteran Blazers' defender Terry Masibo gave the nine-time African Club champions a third-quarter lead as she converted from the penalty spot in the 42nd minute.
Spartans forward Naomi Kemunto restored parity for the students 10 minutes from time, pouncing on a loose ball in the penalty area.
It is the first time Spartans have nicked a point from Blazers with coach Willis Okeyo describing the result as a boost to his team's fight for the title.
"It was a deserved point and a much-needed boost to our title ambitions. We missed out on the gong in 2019 but this could be our season. We need to work on our short corner conversion and take our chances too. There's a lot to be done, fitness-wise, but we are in the right direction," said Okeyo.
His counterpart, Josephine Ataro, promised to work on their system of play.
She admitted they need to be clinical in front of goal when they take on Strathmore Scorpions this weekend.
"We tried a few formations but it didn't work. We will go back to the drawing board to craft a winning formula. The ultimate goal is to defend the title. This was only the second match and a draw wasn't bad considering the quality of our opponents, " Ataro said.
The first quarter was a passive affair with no attacking impetus as both sides took a reserved approach.
The game was momentarily stopped after some discontent from both benches.
On resumption, Spartans wasted two glorious chances in a span of three minutes with only the goalkeeper to beat as the halftime whistle sounded.
Both sides beat Sliders in their previous matches. Spartans won 2-0 as Blazers drubbed the same opposition 3-0.
In another match, Collins Odongo's 22nd-minute strike was all that Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology needed to beat Parklands Hockey club in a men's Super League encounter.
