EASTON, Pa. - The Lafayette Women's Soccer team threatened on a few occasions but couldn't find the back of the net in a 0-0 tie with visiting Army West Point on Wednesday night at Mike Bourger '44 Field at Oaks Stadium. 

Playing under the home lights for the first time this season, the Leopards (6-5-4, 2-2-3) had the better sustained offensive attack in the first 45 minutes.  Each team was credited with four shots in the first half with three of Lafayette's attempts corralled by Army keeper Sydney Cassalia.  The starting back line of Cailtlin Balmer, Rory Schauder, Ariana Aliprantis and Camryn Monfort ensured that none of the Black Knights' shots seriously tested keeper Maggie Pohl.

"I think we work well together as a back four along with, of course, everyone else who comes in," said sophomore Aliprantis. "We've done really well at improving from last season and everyone as a whole is so much better this year."

The improvement has been noticeable as the Leopards picked up their sixth shutout of the season compared to just three a year ago. After playing every minute in goal as a sophomore, Pohl has split duties in 2019 with freshman Natalie Neumann to record a half dozen clean sheets.

While the hosts did not have as many opportunities in the second half or overtime, the definitely had their best one in the 63rd minute when junior Krista Kissell got off an unencumbered shot from 30 yards out that appeared to have a chance to sneak under the crossbar. Cassalia, a two-time All-Patriot League selection, was able to get just enough of her fingertips on the ball to redirect it over the goal to keep the game scoreless.

The visitors provided the majority of the offense in the remainder of regulation and the two overtime periods, but Neumann (five saves) and the Leopards defense were there to preserve the shutout.

"I thought both teams played well," head coach Mick Statham said. "There were not a ton of clear chances for both teams and a lot of the play was between the 18-yard boxes. Probably at the end of the day, although both teams would have preferred a win, a point apiece was probably fair."

Lafayette has two league games remaining in the tightly packed Patriot League standings beginning with a road contest at Holy Cross on Sunday afternoon. The Crusaders are one point clear of the Leopards in a three-way tie for fourth place with Bucknell and Lehigh.

After finishing the short week with the trip to Worcester, Mass., Lafayette will wrap up the regular season on Nov. 2 when they host Boston University in a Senior Day afternoon match.