DALLAS, Texas --- Portland sophomore goalkeeper Paul Christensen made nine saves, including a diving stop on a Southern Methodist PK, to help the Pilots earn a 0-0 draw with the Mustangs on Thursday night at Westcott Field. Both teams had several opportunities to score and sophomore Erik Edwardson led the Pilots (1-3-1) with five shots.
 
The Mustangs, who entered the game receiving votes in the most recent NSCAA rankings, record their second straight tie and are now 2-1-2 on the year.
 
After 45 minutes of scoreless soccer, Christensen began the second half with a handful of saves. One of the stops came on a shot by Emil Cuello in the 48th minute, and he denied Anthony Jeffries moments later.
 
At the other end of the field, the Pilots tried to reward their goalkeeper with a goal and Portland nearly found the back of the net in the 59th minute. On a nice ball from freshman Shane Aranda, fellow freshman Reid Baez drove a shot from 19 yards out that hit the left post. Edwardson followed with a well-struck shot that was just wide of the right post.
 
And then in the 66th minute it appeared the Mustangs would take a one-goal lead when the referee awarded SMU a PK after a foul was called on the Pilots inside the 18-yard box. But again Christensen came thru, this time diving right to reject the shot from John Lujano, keeping the score level.
 
The final minute of regulation featured saves from both Christensen and his SMU counterpart Michael Nelson, forcing the game to OT.
 
Edwardson had the Pilots' first shot of the extra time, which was saved by Nelson, and senior Hugo Rhoads took a crack at goal in the 99th minute. But again Nelson was there for the stop.
 
The Mustangs then claimed the only two shots of the second OT as the game ended in a scoreless draw.
 
Christensen matches a career-high with his nine saves, which he has done twice previously as a freshman.
 
Portland next travels to Tulsa, Okla., for a game against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane on Sunday. Kickoff is slated for 11 a.m. (Pacific) at Hurricane Stadium.