The FIU women's soccer team battled the Warhawks of ULM to a scoreless tie, Friday night at University Park.

In a physical contest that saw 33 combined fouls, the Golden Panthers (2-6-1; 0-4-1) had many scoring chances, but couldn't capitalize. The Warhawks (5-8-1; 1-3-1) had many of their shots blocked by FIU defenders, and the majority of their shots on goals were relatively harmless.

The Golden Panthers nearly got off to a blazing start when Claudia Cardenas (Visalia, Calif.) managed to just stay onsides and got behind the ULM defense, but couldn't control the pass and didn't manage to get a shot off before ULM's keeper, Mallory George took control of the ball.

In the 38^th minute, Marina Pappas (Lancaster, Pa.) had an opportunity as the defense left her open and she took a long shot that sailed just wide right, keeping the match scoreless.

Early in the second half, Kassandra Sorzano (Miami, Fla.) nearly netted her second score of the year, when 38 seconds into the half, Cardenas sent a pass into the box, but Sorzano's attempt was turned away.

In the 57^th minute, Miriam Mercado(Davie, Fla.) took a pass from Cardenas and tried to chip the ball over the keeper to give FIU the lead, but she was turned away by the Warhawk keeper.

Maria Gualdron (Miami, Fla.) just missed scoring the game winning goal in the 67^th minute when she took an open shot from the right side that sailed just past the left upright.

FIU's last chance in regulation came in the 87^th minute when Cardenas sent a pass in to Sorzano who headed it towards the goal but just missed, keeping FIU off the board and sending the match into OT.

In the third minute of overtime, Samantha Girard (Davie, Fla.) almost ended the match with a long bending shot from the right side, however, ULM keeper Mallory George was there to make the save.

In the fifth minute of overtime, Cardenas again nearly ended the match when she made a beautiful run down the right sideline, beating two defenders and firing a dangerous shot that just missed the goal.

In the second overtime, fatigue seemed to set in, as neither team could muster much of an attack. The score would remain tied at zero as time expired.

Claudia Cardenas and Marina Pappas, again led the FIU offense with four and five shots respectively. Senior keeper, Madeline Gannon (Ft. Myers, Fla.) finished the match with six saves, helping FIU get their first shutout of the season.

"ULM battled hard all game long," said FIU head coach Thomas Chestnutt. "So, it was nice to earn our first shutout of the season.  It was a good accomplishment and another step forward for us."

After missing six games due to injury, FIU senior midfielder Julie Mushill (Melbourne, Fla.) returned to action, and along with fellow senior Kristin Hurst (Miami, Fla.) and junior midfielder Amy Jackson (Melbourne, Australia), was instrumental in keeping the Warhawks off the scoreboard.

For the Warhawks, Raydan Phillips and Allison Matson each had three shots, two of them on goal.

FIU returns to University Park this Sunday at 1 p.m. when they host the Ragin' Cajuns of Louisiana-Lafayette.