HILLSBORO, Ore. -- The Sacramento State women's soccer team put forth 12 shot attempts, including four of those on frame, on Sunday afternoon, but could not dent the back of the net as defense ruled the day in a scoreless draw with Portland State in Big Sky Conference action at Hillsboro Stadium.
The Hornets picked up a point for the second straight league contest, moving to 1-7-4 overall on the year and 1-1-1 in conference play. One of three undefeated teams in the league entering the week, the Vikings moved to 3-5-4 overall and 2-0-1 in conference matches.
Sunday's scoreless draw was the first such result of the season and the program's first since back-to-back scoreless draws against Eastern Washington during the pandemic-delayed 2020-21 spring season. Sacramento State's four draws are now the most since that year and the most in a full season since the Hornets were tied up six times in 2019 as part of their 11-2-6 overall record.
Sacramento State's offense tested the host defense with eight of its 12 attempts, and three of its match-high four corner kicks, in the first half, forcing Portland State keeper Sidney O'Billovich into two of her four saves on the afternoon. The first came in the first five minutes off the foot of Abigail Lopez, who took a touch at the top of the 18 and clanged a shot off the crossbar before nestling one into the hands of O'Billovich on the rebound.
Katie Bessamer also rang one off the crossbar in the 23rd minute and Ariana Nino had a one-timer off a corner from about the penalty spot that was stopped by O'Billovich.
Eight of the first nine shot attempts came off the feet of Hornet players before the Vikings turned up the heat to close the half. Goalkeeper Mia Shalit turned away Sienna Higinbotham in the 30th minute with a diving stop from about 25 yards out and denied Hailey Green in the 41st minute on a one-hopper from about 40 yards to keep things scoreless.
Sacramento State had two early chances denied by O'Billovich two minutes apart to start the second half as Danna Restom and Bessemer put attempts on frame in the 54th and 56th minutes, while Portland State's Emma Johnston clipped the crossbar in the 77th minute only to come up empty.
Abigail Lopez finished with three shots to lead the Hornets, who had four players finish with multiple shots on the day.
The home portion of the regular season schedule comes to an end this week as Sacramento State hosts a pair at Hornet Soccer Field. Weber State kicks off the week on Friday (Oct. 7) at 3:30 p.m., before Idaho State comes to town on "Senior Day" Sunday (Oct. 9) at 1 p.m.
