HATTIESBURG, Miss. – It took a full 90 minutes and a pair of overtime periods, but in the end, the Southern Miss Golden Eagles (0-1-1) and Lady Techsters (1-0-1) of Louisiana Tech couldn’t break their deadlock, ending Sunday’s home opener in a 0-0 draw.

 “You have to give credit to Louisiana Tech,” said coach Scott Ebke. “They controlled the tempo from the start of the game and kept attacking. It’s a credit to the strength of our back line and goalkeeper that we were able to keep it a scoreless draw.”

 The teams were not without chances as Louisiana Tech’s Taylor Dennis and Rachel King combined for 12 total shots, putting eight on target.

 Dennis had the likeliest opportunity late in the overtime periods as she ripped a shot for 20 yards out only to have it deflected up by the fingertips of the Golden Eagle keeper Lindsey Schwaner. The ball found only iron and bounced out of the area.

 For the Golden Eagles, junior Jordan Wagner provided the offensive punch, taking four shots and putting three on frame. Freshman Macie Wallace and sophomore Danielle Beatty also saw excellent chances come up empty as the Lady Techsters stifled their attack.

 “Like in the Ole Miss game (on Friday), we had our opportunities but we weren’t able to capitalize on them,” noted Ebke. “We have to get into an offensive mindset early on and turn some of these chances into goals.”

 Lindsey Schwaner (0-0-1) earned her first start of the season and played all 110 minutes as did her entire backline in seniors Elisha Tarbell and Amy Davis, junior Caitlin Leumas and freshman Conner McKie.

 The play of the day may have also come from Leumas who was able to knock a Lady Techster off the ball in an open net situation. The junior came screaming in from the left side just in the nick of time in the first half.

 The Golden Eagles are back in action on Friday, Aug. 26, when they host Jacksonville State in a 4 p.m. kickoff.

 Admission to all Southern Miss women’s soccer games is free. The Golden Eagles play their home matches at the Southern Miss Soccer Complex located off Fourth Street near campus just to the east of Highway 49.

 -SouthernMiss.com-