Western Kentucky redshirt junior goalkeeper Maddie Davis tallied four saves in Friday's 0-0 draw against Louisiana Tech in Ruston, Louisiana.

Western Kentucky’s women’s soccer team opened Conference USA play with a 0-0 tie on the road against Louisiana Tech (2-3-4, 0-0-1 CUSA) on Friday evening in Ruston, Louisiana.

Both WKU (2-5-1 overall, 0-0-1 in CUSA) and Louisiana Tech (2-3-4, 0-0-1) had several chances to score, but were unable to find the back of the net.

“Tonight was a really good college soccer game,” WKU coach Jason Neidell said in a news release. “There were several momentum shifts that neither team could quite capitalize on. Every point in conference play is important, so we were pleased to pitch the shutout and get something out of our opener.

“We will get back to work and keep getting better every day. Our back four played tremendous tonight. Our one-on-one defending was quite good, and we really helped each other out being in good covering positions. Overall, I’m really proud of our kids. This is a tough trip and glad to see us come down here and compete.”

Just before halftime, Aspen Seaich launched a shot from distance that bounced a few feet in front of the LA Tech keeper that bounced over her head. A Lady Techster defender made what appeared to be a goal-line save to keep the Hilltoppers off the board.

WKU’s Anna Isger had a dangerous shot with five minutes left in the match. She sent a shot that fired just below the crossbar, but the LA Tech keeper was able to get a hand on it for the save.

Goalkeeper Maddie Davis finished the game with four saves for the clean sheet for the Hilltoppers. It was her second shutout of the season and the 10th of her career. She now has the sixth most career clean sheets in WKU history.

WKU had 13 shots in the game, with five different Hilltoppers getting one off. Georgia Liapis led the way with four shots, while Kayla Meyer added three.

The draw was WKU’s first tie in a CUSA opener. The Hilltoppers were 6-4-0 in CUSA openers coming into the match. The tie was also a first for WKU in Ruston, with the Hilltoppers coming into the game with a 0-4-0 record against the Lady Techsters on the road.

WKU will head west next week, taking on New Mexico State on Thursday Sept. 26 and UTEP on Sunday, Sept. 29.