MORAGA, Calif. - Saint Mary's rode a nice wave of momentum into Saturday's conference match against Oregon State. After a 3-1 victory over LMU on Wednesday, the Gaels put up 20 shots against the Beavers and dominated the match, but were kept off the scoreboard as the game ended in a scoreless draw. Saint Mary's put up 12 shots in the second half and had relentless pressure all game long, but the Beavers keeper finished with a game high seven saves to help split the points.
FIRST HALF SMC 0-0 OSU
The Gaels picked up right where they left off in Wednesday's match and generated eight first half shots. Oregon State keeper Mya Sanchez had five big saves in the first half as she faced wave after wave all game long. Junior forward
Tessa Salvestrin had shots on goal in the 12th and 24th minute as she looked for her team leading seventh goal of the season. UTSA transfer
Brittany Holden would come off the bench and make her Gaels debut as she recorded a shot and forced a save in the 29th minute.
Head coach
Theresa Romagnolo went with the same starting eleven from Wednesday's match and they were dominant once again with
Emma Barthel,
Savannah Schwarze and
Camryn Cruz creating chances all match long in the team's midfield. Center backs
Amari Hicks and
Khalia Gathright held the Beavers to just three shots in the first half.
FINAL SMC 0-0 OSU
In the second half,
Sydney Middaugh came alive for the Gaels as she generated three shots and forced a pair of crucial saves from the Oregon State keeper. Middaugh went on a near 40-yard run in the 53rd minute and rifled a powerful shot just over the bar. Then in the 80th minute, she would take on multiple Beaver defenders and cut inside to have a left footed shot that was acrobatically pushed away for a Gaels corner.
Saint Mary's has recorded 20 shots in two of their last three matches and 15+ in their last four. The Gaels have found their identity offensively and continue to put up good numbers with over 30 shots and three goals in their last two matches. Redshirt freshman keeper
Kate Plachy finished the match with three saves and recorded her fourth shutout of the season tied for the most in the WCC.
LOOKING AHEAD
Saint Mary's improves to 4-5-2 overall and 1-1-1 in WCC play. They will hit the road next week for a pacific northwest road trip to take on Washington State and Gonzaga. Catch all the action on ESPN+ and get your tickets at smcgaels.com.
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