Midwestern battles D-1 Mavs to scoreless draw

September 4, 2011
OMAHA, Neb. - Midwestern State battled NCAA Division I Nebraska-Omaha to a scoreless draw Sunday afternoon here in the finale of the UNO Invitational. "You hate to tie because of the amount of effort and energy expended in a brutal game between really good teams," MSU coach Jeff Trimble said. "We would have loved to win with the way we came into their place and played, but I''m proud of the girls." The Mustangs moved to 1-0-1 after claiming a season opening win over Truman (Mo.) on Friday and will take on Southwest Baptist (Mo.) in their home opener Thursday night at the MSU Soccer Field. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. The Mavs (2-1-1) are in a transition year making the move from the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association of NCAA Division II to the D-1 Horizon League. "It was a pretty even game and we had a few chances," Trimble said. "We''re playing better than we have been and we fought hard. As weird as it sounds, I''m happy." Senior forward Kelsey Hill gave the Mustangs their best chance when she got behind the UNO defense in the 21st minute, but her shot sailed high. The teams were near even in every statistical category with the Mavs leading 11-10 in shots and MSU totaling more fouls at 6-5 while each team earned four corner kick opportunities. The Mavs were unable to convert on a pair of solid chances as Amber Bilodeau''s offering in the 68th minute glanced off of the crossbar and MSU goalkeeper Mallory Whitworth swept away a corner kick effort early in the first overtime. "Mallory came out in traffic and made the play on the ball above her head," Trimble said. "They are really big, strong and physical girls and crashed the box hard." Trimble lauded the performances of backs Hanna Staley, Megan Barnhart and Callie Briseno for playing a key role in limiting UNO leading threats Danielle Archuleta and Katie Pickinpaugh to three shots. MSU junior Maddie Fraser played all 110 minutes to stabilize the midfield.
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