DULUTH, Minn. – With a 0-0 final score, the Concordia-St. Paul soccer team (5-0-2, 2-0-2 NSIC) tied Minnesota Duluth (2-5-1, 1-3-1 NSIC) for the third consecutive year. On a dreary day at James S. Malosky Stadium in Duluth both teams were held scoreless despite playing two overtime periods.
 
"We came up against two tough sides this weekend and take great positives from our performances overall," comments head coach Steve Bellis. "We stayed difficult to breakdown and created multiple goal scoring opportunities. We remain undefeated and positive for more wins," he continued.
 
Before 2016, the Golden Bears had not tied the Bulldogs since 1995, which was before CSP was a Division II team. Since then, Concordia has been looking for their first road victory over UMD, but instead the team secured their third road tie, as last year they tied in Duluth as well, except with a 2-2 score.
 
The Bears were outshot 19-11 throughout the game, but took more shots on goal, holding a 7-4 edge. Seven different Golden Bear players took a shot on goal, showing their offensive versatility. Seniors Jade Weller and Brooke Salo took the most shots, combining for five throughout the game.
 
Both teams had their fair share of opportunities in the first half, with each squad taking three shots on net. The Bears had two corner kick threats early in the half with Salo getting a shot off that went just wide. Neither team was able to capitalize and the game remained tied at zero heading into the halftime break.
 
The beginning of the second half was a defensive battle, as only two shots were taken in the first half hour of play. From there, both teams upped their offensive efforts. CSP fired two shots about two minutes apart and then the Bulldogs put together an impressive strike, firing five shots and threatening with three corners, all within the last three minutes of regulation. The Concordia defense held strong, though, blocking all five shots that UMD took in those last few minutes, forcing overtime.
 
In the first overtime, the Bulldogs held a 4-1 advantage in shots, but did not get one of those on net. CSP's shot was a header from Salo four minutes in that was saved by the Duluth goalkeeper, Sisley Ng, who ended with seven saves throughout the contest.  
 
Each team only got one shot off in the second overtime, but both were on net. Each goalie handled the shot that was fired at them and the game ended in a 0-0 tie.
 
Junior goalie Emily Nelson recorded four saves on the day to tally her second full shutout this season. The Brooklyn Park native is now 1-0-1 on the year.
 
The Golden Bears return home for their next Northern Sun matchups, taking on Minot State and UMary. Friday night's game against Minot State will be played under the lights at 7 p.m. at Sea Foam Stadium and on Sunday CSP will face UMary at 1 p.m.