BOURBONNAIS, Ill. -- Thanks to a career-best 15-save show-stopping defensive performance from goalkeeper
Giselle Mata, the University of St. Francis women's soccer team wrapped up a hard-fought battle against Olivet Nazarene University with a 0-0 deadlock on Tuesday evening at Joliet Memorial Stadium. The Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference contest was the second draw of the season for St. Francis, moving its overall record to 5-1-2, and its league mark to 2-0-1.
First Half
In the opening half, both squads had opportunities to score, but neither team was able to find the back of the net. Olivet (2-0-2, 0-0-1 CCAC) targeted the goal five times with its best opportunities coming in the first and last three minutes of the half. The Tigers outshot the Saints in the first 45 minutes of action, 10-5, but could not connect for a score, keeping the game tied 0-0.
Second Half
As the ONU offense ramped up in the second half, so did the physicality between both sides. St. Francis worked hard to generate chances, taking three tries between the 57th and 67th minutes, but after its third attempt missed high of the net at the 67:10 mark, Olivet retaliated by applying heavy offensive pressure the remainder of the match - clocking 12 shots (10 on goal) compared to the Saints' one before the final horn blew. The influx of offensive pressure was met by a solid defensive effort from Mata, however, who would not relent as the junior denied every ONU shot attempt thrown her way. Staying composed in the net, and diving to deny each Tiger attempt, Mata closed the half collecting 10 saves to keep the match scoreless.
The Tigers outweighed the Saints in shot attempts on the day, authoring 24 (15 on-target) compared to USF's nine (two on-target).
Isabel Diez tallied the most tries for St. Francis with three, while
Kelly Flores recorded two.
Jimena Diaz and
Litzy Flores each registered one shot apiece, with both attempts resulting in an ONU save. Mata played the full 90 minutes in goal with 15 total saves.
Up Next
St. Francis will return to action on Saturday (Sept. 27) when the Saints take on conference foe St. Ambrose University (Iowa) who will be coming to Joliet Memorial Stadium for USF's Homecoming match. The match will begin at 6 pm.
You can keep up with everything happening around USF Athletics on X @USFSaints.
