IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine men's soccer dueled with Omaha Thursday night in Anteater Stadium, but neither could find the back of the net finishing scoreless in a 0-0 draw.

BUILDING UP
The first half was mainly in favor of UC Irvine (0-4-1) outshooting the Mavericks 10-2. They tested Omaha (0-3-1) keeper Jeremy Pollard twice that he was up to.

The best chance came in the 25th minute as Francesco Montanile diced up defenders along the right wing finding space for a shot. His liner was blocked away by Pollard right to an oncoming Michael Orozco, but his return header veered wide.

Both sides shared chances in the first 10 minutes before the 'Eaters took over possession, but the match went into the half scoreless.

CONTINUED ONSLAUGHT
After weathering a pair of big Omaha chances early in the half with a shot off the post in the 48th minute and a blast from the top of the box sent over the bar in the 57th minute, the Anteaters maintained their pressured attack.

UCI continued to pepper Pollard with three shots on frame in the second half led by prime chances by Victor Sandsmark-Evensen and Oscar Delgado, but nothing found a way in sending the match to overtime.

FINAL SCORE / 2OT: UC IRVINE 0, OMAHA 0
The side finished scoreless after 110 minutes. UCI led the way with 20 of the match's 26 shots. All five shots on target in the match were to the Anteaters as the defense pitched its first shutout of the season without allowing any shots on target. Gordon Botterill was not tested at all as he earned his first clean sheet in an Anteater uniform, the 25th of his collegiate career. UCI also held the advantage in corners, 11-3.

UCI ended its four-match losing streak to start the year with the draw. Notable appearances included Josh Kenworthy making his first collegiate start.

Head coach Yossi Raz on the team's effort - "We keep improving and looked good for many parts of the game against a quality Omaha team. We will keep working on our craft and prepare for the next one on Sunday."

MATCH MAKING
The week concludes with another match in Anteater Stadium Sunday, September 12. UC Irvine takes on Dixie State for the first time in program history with kickoff slated for 1:00 p.m.