BELLINGHAM, Wash.  – The Western Washington University men's soccer team battled No. 17 nationally-ranked West Texas A&M to a scoreless tie Thursday evening in non-conference action at Harrington Field.
 
The Vikings remained undefeated to start the 2022 season at 1-0-2 and has yet to allow a goal in three games. WTAMU opened its Pacific Northwest road trip with its second tie in as many games to open the season.
 
WWU senior goalkeeper Patrick Restum made a career-high six saves while registering his third clean sheet of the season. Restum has played all 270 minutes in net this season while making nine saves.
 
The Vikings were out-shot 7-2 in the first half, but bounced back to hold a 10-7 advantage in the final 45 minutes.
 
"Overall a good result for us. I thought we were outplayed in the first half, but very proud of how we responded in the second half," said WWU head coach Greg Brisbon. "I challenged them at half time and they stepped up and created a couple of chances. We will keep at it and get ready for our next match in Colorado."
 
Sophomore forward Andrew Rotter registered a team-high three shots, all coming in the second half. His shot on goal in the 76th minute nearly put the Vikings in the lead, but the Buffs turned away the shot with a team save off the line.
 
Restum turned away a pair of WTAMU shots in the 83rd minute with two diving saves to help preserve the shutout.
 
The Vikings had one last chance for the game-winner in the 86th minute when Theo Steinmetz unleashed a left-footed shot from 25-yards out that was headed for the upper left quadrant of the goal before being turned away by WTAMU goalkeeper Alfonso Aragon.
 
In addition to Restum's six saves, the Vikings defense was led by senior Gus Diehl and Steinmetz who both played the full 90.
 
The physical match featured 27 total fouls (WT – 15, WWU – 12) and four yellow cards (two showed to each team).
 
The Vikings (1-0-2) are off this weekend and take to the road for the first time this season with a pair of games in Colorado next week. WWU will play at No. 20 Colorado School of Mines on Thursday (Sept. 8) and Regis on Sunday (Sept. 11). The complete 2022 schedule can be viewed online via wwuvikings.com/22_MSOC.
     

Western Washington 0, #17 West Texas A&M 0
Date: September 1, 2022
Field: Harrington Field   Site: Bellingham, WA
Attendance: 129

Goals by period              1  2    Tot
-----------------------------------------
West Texas A&M.............  0  0  -  0
Western Washington.........  0  0  -  0

Shots: WT 14, WWU 12
Shots on Goal: WT 6, WWU 3
Saves: WWU 6 (Restum - 6), WT 3 (Aragon – 2, Team - 1)
Corners: WT 8, WWU 4
Fouls: WT 15, WWU 12
Offsides: WT 2, WWU 0
Kits: WWU (White), WT (Black/Maroon)

  WWU is now 1-2-1 all-time vs. West Texas A&M…first meeting against the Buffs since the 2019 season (1-0 loss in Canyon, Texas)…each of the four meetings between WWU and WTAMU has featured the Buffs ranked in the national top 25…Vikings are 1-0-1 all-time vs. West Texas A&M in games played in Bellingham.

M⚽️ | Watch @SoccerWWU goalkeeper Patrick Restum make two of his six saves in the 0-0 tie vs. No. 17 West Texas A&M. Restum and the Vikings have recorded three consecutive shutouts to open the 2022 season. pic.twitter.com/eELdvbb2BD
— WWU Athletics (@WWUAthletics) September 2, 2022

  The Vikings take to the road for the first time in 2022 with a pair of road games in Colorado. WWU will face current No. 20 nationally-ranked Colorado School of Mines next Thursday (9/8) in Golden, followed by a Sunday (9/11) game at Regis in Denver. Links on how to follow all WWU home and road games are available via wwuvikings.com/22_MSOC.