PARKLAND - In a match that was mostly played in Whitworth's offensive end of the field on Saturday, Pacific Lutheran played resilient, bend-but-don't-break defense in earning a 0-0 double-overtime draw with the visiting Pirates in Northwest Conference women's soccer action.

The Pirates (10-3-1 overall, 8-1-1 NWC) came into the match in first place in the conference standings, and in this game they dominated in every statistical category save the scoreboard. Pacific Lutheran keeper Lauren Chambard and her defense weathered a total of 29 Whitworth shots, 11 of which were saved by Chambard, while the Lutes managed just one shot on the offensive end of the field. That second-half shot by Olivia Lee sailed over the crossbar, giving Whitworth keeper Callie Bergstrom little work other than dealing with the occasional ball rolling into her penalty box.

Whitworth took seven shots in the opening half with Chambard needing to make two saves. That all changed in the second period as the Pirates put 18 shots on goal, forcing eight more saves by the PLU keeper. The Pirates managed just three shots in the two overtime periods and Chambard wrapped up her second clean sheet of the season with another save.

The PLU defensive four of outside backs Kristina Snaring and Courtney Walker, and center backs Jordan Daniels and Mariah Rasmussen, provided plenty of cover for Chambard, putting lots of pressure on the Whitworth shooters and preventing them from getting really good looks at the goal. Additionally, the Lutes midfield, and even the forwards, found themselves tracking back to help disrupt the Pirates offense in any way they could.

Both teams return to action at noon on Sunday, PLU hosting Whitman and Whitworth facing second-place and reigning NWC champion Puget Sound. The latter match should go a long way toward determining the eventual conference winner.

- PLU -