Women's Soccer draws with Rivier 0-0 in double OT

North Adams, MA- The MCLA Women's Soccer team opened up their 2016 season with a 0-0 double overtime draw against visiting Rivier University this afternoon at Shewcraft Field.  The match was the season opener for both clubs.

Although neither team found the back of the net, it wasn't for a lack of opportunities.  MCLA controlled the first half and had three solid chances but couldn't convert.  The second half belonged Rivier, but once again the goal keepers reigned.

The scoreless first half wasn't without opportunities for the Trailblazers.  In the 16th minute, freshman Kaylyn Holliday got behind the defense and went in unopposed.  Rivier keeper Lauren Goodspeed came off the line to shut down the angle and stopped the shot from point blank range.  Just a minute later, MCLA's Natalie Caney also got thru the defense and ripped a shot, however Goodspeed once again had the answer keeping the zero on the board.

Holliday had a pair of other chances later in the half but struggled to get her best foot on the ball and the score remained 0-0 at halftime.  MCLA would outshoot the Raiders 10-3 in the half but Goodspeed totaled 7 first half saves.

The second half was a bit of a reversal as Rivier outshot MCLA 10-5 in the second stanza.  MCLA's Megan Richardson kept the match scoreless with a couple of nice saves from close range and eventually sent the game into overtime.

In the OT sessions, MCLA outshot the Raiders 6-0 including a golden chance from Marisa Sprague in the first OT that Goodspeed denied.  

The Trailblazers were hurt all afternoon by Rivier's trap defense.  The Raiders baited MCLA into 17 offsides penalties negating many chances.  

MCLA ended with a 21-13 shot edge while Rivier held a 7-4 mark in corner kicks.

Goodspeed was solid between the pipes with 15 saves while her counterpart Richardson stopped the three shots she saw to earn the draw.

MCLA is back in action on Tuesday when they travel to St. Joseph (CT).