NEWBERG, Ore. – Making an astonishing 21 saves, George Fox University keeper Alyssa Montero spearheaded a defense that bent but did not break as the Bruins tied the University of Puget Sound Loggers 0-0 in double-overtime in Northwest Conference women's soccer action Saturday afternoon here at the rain-soaked Austin Sports Complex.

Puget Sound put forth a relentless attack, taking 51 shots in the game - 14 in the first half, 28 in the second, and four and five in the two overtimes - while George Fox managed only five, none on goal.  The Loggers also had 14 corner kick opportunities to two for the Bruins.  It was obviously the defensive effort that enabled the Bruins to tie the ten-time defending conference champions.

“Alyssa is the real deal,” George Fox coach Cory Hand praised his senior goalie after the game.  “She had 21 saves, almost a record - and that's not counting the number of corner kicks she was to thwart or punch out.  Our back line also made a number of great plays; I know Becca (Allen) had a goal line save, and Haley (Downey) one as well.”

Twice in the first 70 minutes, Montero was forced to make saves in rapid-fire succession as the Loggers shot, then tried to follow up on the rebound from Montero's deflections.  In the waning moments of regulation, UPS stepped up its intensity and took nine shots in the closing seven-minute span, with the Bruins blocking three shots and Montero making four saves. 

Junoet Perkins led the Bruins with three shots, two of them in the final minute of regulation as the Bruins tried valiantly for the upset, but both were blocked by UPS defenders.  Amalia Acorda-Fey with eight shots, three on goal, and Kylie Beeson with seven shots, four on goal, were the offensive leaders for Puget Sound.

For the Loggers, Casey Thayer worked the first half in the net before Lauren Thomas went the final 65 minute to share the shutout.

It was the first conference home match of the year for the Bruins, who are now 2-4-1 overall and 0-2-1 in the league.  The Loggers are 2-2-2 overall and 0-1-2 in the NWC.

NEXT: George Fox hosts Pacific Lutheran University Sunday for a conference match at 12:00 noon … Puget Sound visits Willamette University in Salem, Ore., Sunday, also at 12:00 noon, in another league matchup.