FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno Pacific women's soccer battled Menlo to a 0-0 draw, with both teams finding opportunities but neither able to break through. The Sunbirds goalkeeper saved a penalty goal that could have changed the tide of the game.
"We started strong creating a few chances that we couldn't capitalize on," said head coach Jaime Ramirez. "Our defense was outstanding in stifling the long ball attack they posed."
The Sunbirds came out aggressively, generating five shots and two corner kicks in the opening 12 minutes.
Gizelle Aguirre accounted for three of those attempts, while
Sophie Rosales and
Bailey Roberson also tested the Menlo defense early.
Menlo finished the first half with an 8-5 advantage in shots, but
Brielle Calhoun made two saves and the Sunbirds added a team save to keep the match scoreless at halftime.
Calhoun came up with one of the match's biggest plays early in the second half, making a penalty save to preserve the deadlock. She stopped the attempt to her right, and after the ball dropped, a Menlo player sent the follow-up attempt wide.
The intensity picked up in the final five minutes as both teams looked for the deciding goal. Fresno Pacific created a prime opportunity when the Menlo goalkeeper was drawn out of the box, but an Oak defender blocked Rosales' shot and cleared the danger.
"Our goalkeeper came up big saving a penalty that could have changed the result of the match to keep the shutout, giving us four shutouts for the year!"
Neither team could find the breakthrough as the Sunbirds held Menlo scoreless throughout the second half, securing the 0-0 draw.
The Sunbirds are 4-3-2 overall and 3-1-2 in CCAA play.
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