PORTLAND, Ore. --- The Portland Pilots were solid throughout 110 minutes of soccer and nearly found the back of the net several times, but in the end the home side would settle for a 0-0 draw with the No. 25 Pepperdine Waves in the West Coast Conference opener played on Friday night at Merlo Field. It's the third straight shutout for the Pilots, who run their streak of not allowing a goal to 340 consecutive minutes.
 
After emerging from the halftime locker room tied 0-0, the Pilots (6-2-3, 0-0-1 WCC) took over possession in the second half and continued to attack the Pepperdine (5-3-3, 0-0-1 WCC) final third.
 
Freshman Kimberly Hazlett provided a spark off the bench for the Pilots, and in the 47th minute she nearly chipped the Pepperdine keeper, Hannah Seabert. But Hazlett's effort from about 30 yards out hit the cross bar. The Pilots momentarily had a chance to capitalize on the rebound, but the Waves escaped as the game remained scoreless.
 
In the 78th minute another Portland freshman, Lucy Davidson, had Seabert beat with a header towards the left post. But the shot, which appeared destined for the left corner of the net, was wide by about a foot. The attempt was set up by a ball sent in by Ellie Boon from the left side of the box.
 
Hazlett had one last chance at a game-winner in the 85th minute, this time trying to re-direct another cross from Boon into the top shelf. But Seabert did well to force Hazlett, who was sprinting towards the Pepperdine frame, into sending the difficult shot high of the cross bar.
 
The Pilots created the only dangerous opportunity during the first overtime, and Pepperdine attempted the lone shot in the second OT, which was from well outside the top of the 18 and blocked by the Pilots.
 
Portland's backline forced Pepperdine into taking shots from distance all night long as all eight of the visitor's shots came from outside the 18-yard box. The Pilots out-shot the Waves 9-3 in the second half and 12-8 for the game.
 
UP's senior goalkeeper Hanna de Haan, who was rarely tested, registers her first shutout of the year.
 
Next up for the Pilots is a visit from the Loyola Marymount Lions on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. at Merlo Field for a WCC game that will be broadcast live on Comcast SportsNet Northwest. The Lions opened their league schedule with a 3-1 win at Gonzaga on Friday night.