GETTYSBURG, Pa. – The Gettysburg College women's soccer team put together a record-breaking defensive performance last fall, highlighted by an improbable shutout tie with eventual national champion Messiah College.

On the night of September 24, a young Gettysburg team took the field against perennial national powerhouse and unbeaten Messiah, which came into the contest averaging over five goals per match. By comparison, the Bullets had scored only five goals in their first five contests of the season, three of which came against Centennial Conference bottom dweller Bryn Mawr College.

Heading into the match, second-year mentor Matt Garrett tried to focus his team's thoughts on the moment at hand, and not the name and repute of their opponent.

“When playing against the best teams you have to focus more on the moment and situation and not their record or name,” recalled Garret. “We worked very hard to have a very good defensive shape and balance to limit the opposition's space in our half and behind our defense.”

The game plan was tested early and often as Messiah relentlessly attacked the goal for 110 minutes. None of the team's 27 shot attempts found the mark, however, as goalie Danielle St. Pierre (Londonderry, N.H./Trinity) turned away 10 shots and the backline, anchored by all-conference back Tara Gaston (Newtown, Conn./Newtown), forced the Falcons into hurried shot attempts.

After 90 minutes of regulation time and a pair of 10-minute overtime periods, zeroes owned the scoreboard. Neither team could claim a victory or a loss on paper, but for an up-and-coming team from Gettysburg, that stand against the nation's best made a significant statement for future endeavors.

“We defended brilliantly, showed a huge amount of courage, concentration and discipline,” said the head coach. “We wished we could have shown more quality in possession and in transition. However, in relation to our progress as a team, anytime you can tie the national champions you need to draw a lot of confidence from it for the future.”