GOLDEN, Colo. – The No. 25 nationally-ranked Western Washington University women's soccer team battled Colorado School of Mines in a scoreless tie Saturday night at Stermole Stadium.
 
The Vikings (1-0-1) out-shot the Orediggers 21-16 in the match, including a strong second-half effort that resulted in 18 shots with seven on target.
 
Western had a few scoring opportunities late in the game turned away, including a pair of chances cleared off the line and a back-heel strike by Dayana Diaz that hit the crossbar in the 86th minute. Junior midfielder Tera Ziemer, who scored two goals in the season-opening victory, nearly produced a golden goal in the 93rd minute, but her shot towards the left post was turned away by a Mines defender.
 
Both defenses gave a strong effort, with WWU senior All-American goalkeeper Natalie Dierickx recording four saves and sophomore center back Katie Watt playing all 110 minutes to anchor the scoreless effort by the back line.
 
"These games are huge for us…playing against teams like this early in the season really test you. Mines is a good opponent that will punish you if you make mistakes. It really forces you to be good and disciplined, and I thought we did a great job of that tonight," said WWU head coach Travis Connell. "We grew into the game and got better and better throughout. We played hard and grinded against a good opponent. It was a good day for our team and a fair result."
  Forward Estera Levinte led the Vikings recording seven shots in the game (played 74 minutes)…midfielder Tera Ziemer registered four shots with three on goal…WWU held a decisive 8-1 advantage in corner kicks…senior goalkeeper Natalie Dierickx recorded three of her four saves in the second half.
  WWU is now 2-1-1 all-time against the Orediggers, including a 5-1 win in the national quarterfinal in 2016. The Vikings are 3-1-1 all-time at Stermole Stadium, including neutral site wins over UC San Diego in the 2016 West Region Final and a 2-0 win Thursday in the season-opener vs. Adams State.
  The Vikings (1-0-1) return home to make their 2021 Harrington Field debut next Sunday (September 12) hosting Sonoma State University (11 am kickoff). WWU's next three matches will all be at Harrington Field, with the Vikings entertaining Biola (Saturday, September 18, 7 pm) and Point Loma (Monday, September 20, 7 pm). The full 2021 season schedule, complete with live coverage links, can be viewed online at wwuvikings.com/21_WSOC.
 

#25 Western Washington 0, Colorado School of Mines 0 (2 OT)
Date: September 4, 2021
Field: Stermole Stadium    Site: Golden, CO

Goals by period              1  2  OT   Tot
-------------------------------------------
Western Washington.........  0  0  0  -  0
Colorado School of Mines...  0  0  0  -  0

Shots: WWU 21, CSM 16
Shots on Goal: WWU 7, CSM 4
Saves: WWU 4 (Dierickx - 4), CSM 7 (Roth – 5, Team - 2)
Corners: WWU 8, CSM 1
Fouls: CSM 10, WWU 9
Offsides: WWU 1, CSM 1
Kits: WWU (Light Blue), CSM (Navy/White)