HARTFORD, Conn. -- The Lafayette Women's Soccer team had the most opportunities, and arguably the better ones, but could not find the net in a 0-0 draw with Hartford on Sunday afternoon on Al-Marzook Field at Alumni Stadium.

The Leopards (1-2-1) outshot the hosts 15-8 with six shots on goal and a handful of other good looks that either found a post or sailed high. Junior midfield Sophie Saldivar recorded five shots and Rebecca Schreiner, Camryn Monfort and Melissa Lamanna had two apiece as the attack kept pressure on the Hawks through much of the contest.  

The Lafayette defense, led by Caitlin Balmer and Lindie Gibbs, was stellar in limiting reigning America East Offensive Player of the Week Kaila Lozada to just a pair of shots. In the rare instances that a Hartford attacker found daylight, goalkeepers Maggie Pohl and Natalie Neumann were well positioned for the save. The duo combined for four saves and Neumann came up huge in the second overtime to turn away the Hawks best opportunity and preserve the second shutout of the season.

"I thought we were good again today," head coach Mick Statham said. "We are building good performances and playing good soccer."

The performance was quite a turnaround from the 2018 meeting between the teams played on Mike Bourger '44 Field at Oaks Stadium. In the 2-0 loss to Hartford last season, the Leopards were outshot 16-0. This fall, Lafayette has outshot three of their four opponents.

The Leopards had a pair of opportunities in the 37th minute when they were able to get Hartford keeper Maia Perez out of position only to see the ball cleared away from the net by a Hawk defender. In the second half, Saldivar's header in the 53rd minute following a corner kick sailed just high and their best chance of the afternoon in the 70th minute from Krista Kissell to Saldivar was stopped by Perez.

"Today's game was a big improvement from last year versus Hartford," Statham said. "We obviously have to do more with out chances but the players should be encouraged by their efforts."

Lafayette plays a pair of road contests next weekend, starting with a Friday night encounter with Delaware State followed by a Sunday afternoon matchup at Georgetown.