SPOKANE, Wash. - Whitworth came away with a scoreless draw in its season-opening match against UC Santa Cruz on Friday afternoon in the Whitworth Soccer Classic at the Whitworth Soccer Field.

Andrea Stump made eight saves in recording the shutout and the Whitworth defense held tough against UC Santa Cruz, who outshot Whitworth 17-11 and had a 13-5 advantage on corner kicks.

Stump came up with three key saves over the two extra periods as UC Santa Cruz threatened to break the tie. The Banana Slugs outshot the Pirates 4-1 in extra time after a second half in which Whitworth held a 6-5 edge in shots.

Perhaps the closest scoring opportunity came early in the second half on a shot by Taylor Keenan of UC Santa Cruz. Her shot went over the head of Stump, deflecting off the crossbar. The defenses for both teams were consistent throughout the match in limiting the number of good offensive opportunities.

Head coach Jael Hagerott commended the work of her defense in holding UC Santa Cruz scoreless over 110 minutes of play, including the guidance of Stump and key performers on the back line in setting the tone for the match.

"It's leadership from the back that allows us to go forward," Hagerott said. "Each player contributed when they needed to and helped us keep the shutout."

The season-opening contest presented a chance for the Pirates to be tested against outside competition and help younger players gain experience.

"It's exciting to be out on the field," Hagerott said. "You run against each other in practice and overall we've generated good quality, but an opponent gives you different things you see on the field. And we needed that, we need experience."

Whitworth returns to action Saturday on the second day of the Whitworth Soccer Classic. The Pirates will take on Saint Benedict on the Whitworth Soccer Field while UC Santa Cruz battles Whitman on Omache Field. Both contests begin at noon.

Whitman 1, Saint Benedict 0.

Clara Merlino scored the lone goal of the match to give Whitman a 1-0 over Saint Benedict in the Whitworth Soccer Classic on Friday afternoon at Omache Field.

Merlino scored an unassisted goal in the 53rd minute, turning around a defender and scoring. Whitman held a 12-9 advantage in shots and an 8-5 edge on corner kicks.

Heather Kaluzniak made seven first-half saves for the Blazers, who are ranked at No. 14 nationally by the BennettRank Season Preview.