Box Score

NAMPA, Idaho – The Crusaders scored early, surged in the second half, and even hit a post.

In the end, it added up to a second straight draw for the Northwest Nazarene women's soccer team which tied Cal State East Bay, 1-1, on Saturday at Finkbeiner Park on the NNU campus.

"We finished a good goal and fought hard today," said NNU head women's soccer coach Mary Trigg. "I'm so excited about the way we're playing and moving the ball. We're creating great chances up top.

"Now it's up to the girls to reward themselves with some goals."

The Crusaders first goal of the season came 7 minutes, 42 seconds into the action Saturday off a corner kick by Lexi Fesenbek.
 

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NNU's Sarah Blum knocked the ball out of the air and Sarah Jenkins booted it home before the Pioneer defenders could clear it out of their own goal-box.

The lead only lasted 49 seconds though, as Janelle Herrera sent a long ball from near midfield toward the NNU goal, a pass that Alyssa Rodriguez touched home, tying the score at 1-1 with 81:29 remaining in regulation.

Eighty-one minutes that saw both teams try their best to score, though neither could.

The Crusaders (0-1-2 overall) even upped their intensity in the second half, outshooting the Pioneers (2-1-1) 10-8 in the final 45 minutes and collecting several close chances.

None closer than a shot off the post by Fesenbek with 13:16 left in regulation.

But neither team could muster another goal, not in regulation or in two 10-minute overtime halves as NNU settled for a second-straight draw. Last weekend, the Crusaders earned a 0-0 result at Colorado Christian.

Daniele Ortiz made six saves in goal in Saturday's tie for the Crusaders, who return to the field on Monday to host Dominican (Calif.) at 3 p.m.