Pioneers settle for scoreless tie at Ohio Christian, unbeaten streak moves to seven

CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio -- Point Park University men's soccer had its unbeaten streak extend to seven games but in doing so had to settle for a 0-0 tie at Ohio Christian University on Thursday afternoon. The River States Conference road result stopped the four-game win streak for the Pioneers. 

Point Park (7-2-3, 4-0-1 RSC) had gotten the top points in its first four conference games. But the Pioneers had to split the points versus the Trailblazers (0-10-2, 0-5-1 RSC).

Defensively, it was the fifth shutout during the Pioneers' seven-game unbeaten streak. Point Park allowed just four shots on frame with goalkeeper Eduard Garcia making all of those stops. 

With the third shutout in a row, the Pioneers have not allowed a goal in 272 minutes of game action dating back to the final minutes of a 3-2 win over Oakland City (Ind.).

The Pioneers had 40 shots compared to eight for Ohio Christian. But the Trailblazers did not bend on the scoreboard putting forth an amazing defensive performance from goalkeeper Madior Mbaye and his teammates. 

Mbaye made 13 saves on the day, including 11 in the second half. Perhaps most importantly to the result, defender Evan Caldwell made two goal-line clearances to provide the biggest plays of the game. 

When the teams went into the halftime locker room still scoreless, Point Park had a 14-2 shot advantage but had just four of those come on goal. The Pioneers mounted another 26 shots after the half with 11 coming on goal. 

Point Park had 21 corner kicks and gave up just a single one in the second half but was unable to convert. Fouls were five each on the day. 

The Pioneers return home for a matchup versus RSC newcomer Shawnee State (Ohio) on Saturday night. Kickoff is 8:30 p.m. at Highmark Stadium for a White Out match.