SSU MSOC plays Mount Vernon Nazarene to 0-0 draw

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio -- In a nonconference contest that was played at CH4 Stadium at Mount Vernon Nazarene, the men's soccer program at Shawnee State put together a strong effort on both ends of the pitch in the first half, claiming a 4-2 shot advantage and limiting the Cougars to just one shot on goal in the opening 45 minutes of play, then held firm against a strong MVNU offensive advance in the second half of competition en route to forcing a 0-0 tie in Shawnee State head coach Stan Rodrigues' second contest guiding the program Saturday evening.

Shawnee State, who posted four shots Saturday evening -- two of which on frame -- posted its best scoring chance in the 26th minute. SSU captain Nikos Pontikis, who proved to be terrific throughout much of the contest in multiple facets, launched a ball into the box that Mount Vernon Nazarene's Julius Blumenauer knocked away. In doing so, however, Blumenauer knocked the ball straight back into the center of the box. Théo Cavaleiro Trindade nearly capitalized in a big way on the rebound, but Blumenauer was able to dive to his right and make the stop to keep the contest scoreless.

In addition to the above duo, Shawnee State freshman Cameron Thompson, who worked around the left side of the field, nearly capitalized on his own opportunity in the 42nd after the ball was misplayed by Mount Vernon Nazarene. Thompson's attempt didn't find the back of the net as the contest remained scoreless through the opening half of action.

Mount Vernon Nazarene was able to find space to get three shots on target in the second half of play behind senior forward Zack Bowser, who posted four shots in the second half on his own. However, on each occasion, the Shawnee State defense, led by a collective effort that included Pontikis, fellow SSU captain Guilherme Bitencourt, João Coqueti Léo and goalkeeper Eric Green, among various others, kept Mount Vernon off of the scoreboard. In the second half alone, Green made key saves in the 51st, 73rd and 76th minutes that helped keep the score deadlocked.

Shawnee State's best chance came in the 79th minute on a Guillermo Conejo free kick that was placed well toward the right corner of the box -- but the Bears were unable to get a touch on the ball, and from there, the game played out to what ultimately ended up being a 0-0 final.

Shawnee State (0-1-1) will have a week off before heading to Pulaski, Tenn. -- where the Bears will face Tennessee Southern (2-0) at 6 p.m. ET/5 p.m. CT.