SEATTLE, Wa. – Sophomore goalkeeper
Priya Sandhu made nine saves Saturday against seventh-ranked Seattle Pacific, as Simon Fraser opened Great Northwest Athletic Conference women's soccer play with a 0-0 double-overtime tie at Interbay Stadium.
In a battle of the league's only two undefeated teams, both remained without a loss. SPU's record moved to 4-0-1 while the Clan is now 2-0-2. It is the best start for the Clan since it went 3-0-1 to begin the 2010 season, its first in NCAA.
Despite the scoreless outcome, there was end-to-end action and numerous chances for both teams. The Falcons fired 21 shots at Sandhu while the Clan fired 18 shots at Molly Stinson, forcing her to make 10 stops. The 10 saves matched her season total entering the contest.
The Clan's most dangerous opportunity came 2:23 into the first 10-minute overtime.
Christina Dickson slipped through the SPU defense for a breakaway, but her 14-yard shot was turned away by Stinson's sliding save.
Sandhu twice denied point-blank shots by the Falcons. Isabel Farrell was alone near the left post, but Sandhu blocked her attempt at the goal line.
In the 59th minute, Farrell blasted a 20-yard free kick that the Clan goalkeeper deflected at the post. She then blocked Laura Moore's follow-up attempt before Moore's second shot went wide.
It was Sandhu's third straight shutout. The Surrey, BC, native has only allowed one goal this season.
The SFU women host a pair of GNAC games next week, taking on Central Washington Thursday at 5 PM and Western Washington Saturday at 5 PM, both games on Terry Fox Field.
