ABILENE, Texas— It was all about the defense Saturday night as the Cal Lutheran women's soccer team and No. 11 Hardin-Simmons Cowgirls played 110 minutes under the lights with the outcome being a double-overtime tie at 0-0.
The Regals end their Texas trip with a record of 1-0-1, as the offense and defense each put on a show. The Regals previously defeated Mary Hardin-Baylor Friday night with a score of 3-2.
The name of the game was defense as both back lines stood strong. Both CLU and HSU only allowed one shot on goal apiece during regulation. In all the Regals and Cowgirls had three and two shots on goal, respectively.
Cal Lutheran's back line of Trinity Martinez, Zandra Stewart, Katie Weaver and Danielle Vis and goalkeeper Alexa Soto combined for their first shut out of the season. The defense only allowed two shots on goal, even though HSU had eight corner kicks.
The Regals had the first opportunity to score, in the 11th minute, as a shot to the bottom center of the goal by Mandy Crawford was blocked by the Cowgirl goalkeeper.
Hardin-Simmons had their chance in the 34th minute, but Soto was there for the save. Neither team tallied a shot on goal in the second half and the game went to overtime.
In the first extra period, Cal Lutheran brought the pressure as Sam Cornejo delivered a shot in the 92nd minute to the top middle of the goal. The Cowgirl goalkeeper was able to get up in the air and knocked the ball over the top bar and CLU had a corner kick. The Regals were not able to convert on the corner kick and the game continued.
Hardin-Simmons had their chance with a corner kick a few minutes later, but the Regals' defense prevailed as the Cowgirls couldn't get a shot off.
The Cowgirls thought they finally ended the game, in the 108th minute, after the ball was headed into the goal off a corner kick, but it was called off due to a foul. CLU then had its final chance, in the 110th minute, but the Cowgirl goalkeeper was there for another save. After 110 minutes of play, with the defenses dominating, the Regals and No. 11 Cowgirls came to a scoreless draw.
After opening the season on the road, the Regals will be back in Thousand Oaks, Calif., for their home opener on Friday against Whitworth at 7 p.m.
Box Score: CLU 0, HSU 0
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Release by Ryan Jorgenson, Sports Information Director
