SACRAMENTO, Calif. – In a back-and-forth thrilling battle on the road, the Eastern Washington University women's soccer team went into its first (double) overtime match of the season, clashing with Sacramento State and gathering a 0-0 tie today (March 19) in Sacramento, Calif. Although the Eagles did not solidify a victory today, they still extend their unbeaten streak to four matches and grip the top spot in the Northwest Division of the Big Sky Conference with a 2-0-1 record and one game ahead of second place Montana (3-0, 2-0). Moreover, Sacramento State moves to 1-0-3 overall and 0-0-1 in league play.

"We played well against a top team today.  A draw on the road is hard a lot of times and I thought we had some quality chances. We moved the ball well and our backline plus goalkeeper Kelsee Winston defended very well," said head coach Chad Bodnar.  "We get to go at it again Sunday and hopefully we are sharper around the goal and we have better service in the box. Overall, it was a good performance."

EWU outshot SAC 8-1 in the first half with five shots knocked in the direction of Hornet goalkeeper Aaliyah Fesili, including an opportunity developed off the boot of EWU goalkeeper Kelsee Winston to Maddie Morgan who shot from 20 yards out to the bottom right corner.

Winston came to the rescue for the Eagles a few times including a potential game-changing diving grab in the 12th minute from a dangerous through ball pass by Sac State, and again in the 30th minute from a shot by Sac State striker Julia Herrera.

Following the first 45 minutes, the match sat tied at 0-0.

Within the first ten minutes of the second half, EWU saw its first real chance from a rocket shot by Morgan aimed towards the crossbar but Fesili dove backwards and carried the ball away.

The Eagles fired off four more shots, including two on target from Grace Terrill, but ultimately could not capitalize as the score remained tied after the full 90 minutes of regulation.

The first overtime period tested EWU's defense with a shot in the 91st minute and again in the 97th, but the first sailed over the top and the second landed towards the right side of the goal.

The second overtime period was dominated by the Eagles as they saw multiple opportunities in their offensive third including a promising shot from 35-yards out by Taylor Matheny that trimmed over the right side of the crossbar. Five minutes later, Matheny served a curving ball into the box from a set piece 25-yards out that found the head of Colby Wilson, but the ball sailed over the crossbar.

For the first time in EWU's season, and the third time in Sac State's season, the match ended with a 0-0 tie after two overtime periods of 10 minutes.

WIN-LOSS RECORDS: EWU picks up its first tie in Big Sky Conference play and moves to 3-2-1 overall and 2-0-1 in league play while Sacramento State moves to 2-0-1 overall and 0-0-1 in the conference.

Additionally, Eastern extends its all-time series record to 9-12-4 against Sac State.

TOP PERFORMANCES: Eastern saw 12 individual players take at least one shot on goal and three players with at least two shots on target in forwards Sariah Keister, Maddie Morgan and Grace Terrill.

Kelsee Winston made one crucial save to solidify her 16th career shutout and second of the season. Additionally, she sits second in the Big Sky Conference in total saves (30).

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE: Eastern Washington out-shot Sacramento State 17-5, landing nine on target versus SAC's one.

The Eagles forced the Hornets to make nine saves opposed to EWU's one, and Eastern also took six corner kicks compared to five for Sac State.

UP NEXT: EWU will get one day of rest before returning to face Sacramento State for a second match on March 21 at 1 p.m. Pacific time in Sacramento, Calif. Following the match, Eastern heads home in preparation for two matches at home against conference foe Idaho on April 2 at 3 p.m. PT and again on April 4 at 12 p.m. PT. at the EWU Soccer Field in Cheney, Wash.