Box Score

LAKEWOOD, Colo. – The Crusaders had their chance, but in the end settled for a bit of a disappointing draw.

The Northwest Nazarene women's soccer team fired 11 shots toward the Colorado Christian goal, but none past the Cougar goalkeeping tandem of Shaya Lawrence and Claire LaValley, settling for a 0-0 draw in nonconference action Saturday afternoon.

"This one stings today," NNU head coach Mary Trigg said. "It's a game of finishing. We have to improve on that."

Lawrence made two saves and LaValley one for the Cougars (0-0-1), while Crusader freshman Daniele Ortiz earned her first collegiate shutout, making seven saves in goal for NNU (0-1-1).

Nicole Nsa, Sarah Blum and Rachel Ball each had a shot on goal to lead the offense for a Crusader team that, despite not scoring a victory, still played very well in a tough season-opening road trip to Colorado.

Thursday, NNU played a strong game against perennial powerhouse Regis (Colo.) before falling 3-0 to the host Rangers, a 10-time NCAA Division II National Tournament qualifier.

"We came into a hard environment this weekend and I was proud that our girls fought hard today to get the shutout," said Trigg, adding, "but we created way too many good chances not to finish.

"We had some wide-open shots and we weren't composed enough to place it in the back of the net."

The Crusaders will get a chance to work on their finishing next weekend as NNU makes its home debut next Saturday when it hosts Cal State East Bay at 1 p.m.