SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Throughout most of the second match of the Big Sky Conference weekend opener, Northern Colorado and Sacramento State played almost identical in a 0-0 double overtime tie. The Bears now go to 4-4-3 and 0-1-1 in Big Sky play while the Hornets move to 5-4-2 and 1-0-1 in the Big Sky.

"When you go on the road in the league it's tough to get points," head coach Tim Barrera said. "To come out of the games and finish this game 0-0 is a fair result."

Neither team was able to put up more than five shots in a period, leading to the lack of scoring. The Hornets tallied five shots in the first period and led throughout the day in the category. Sacramento State finished with 13 compared to Northern Colorado's seven. Both teams had six shots on goal, with all being saved by keepers Natalie D'Adamio of the Bears and Kimberly Mata of the Hornets.

"It was a really even match," Barrera said. "Both keepers did what they were supposed to and it was battle."

Sacramento State began the game by taking advantage of the shot total. The Hornets kicked the first three shots, not to be outdone by the Bears, though. UNC followed with two shots of its own from senior Danielle Birdsall and junior Ambree Bellin, both being saved by Mata in the 13th and 14th minute, respectively. Both teams would trade shots the rest of the period.

Shots again were traded between the Bears and Hornets throughout the second half. Of the four shots from Sacramento State, D'Adamio saved two to push the match into overtime and play for her sixth shutout of the season.

Neither team recorded a shot in the first overtime period, although Sacramento State had two corner kick opportunities. The shot percentage did not change for UNC in the second overtime as it failed to put up a shot. D'Adamio saved two of the Hornets four shots in the final overtime period. The final shot of the night came just 15 seconds before the final horn. Raylene Larot's hopes to win the game sailed high to finish off the 0-0 tie.

"They had some dangerous players and we defended pretty well," Barrera said. "Five shutouts in seven games is pretty good. We just have to find a way to score those goals."

The Hornets led in corner kick opportunities with four compared to the Bears' three. UNC tallied more fouls, 12-7.

The Bears now prepare to continue Big Sky play with a short week. UNC will travel to Grand Forks, N.D., to take on North Dakota in its only match of the weekend.

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