JONESBORO, Ark. – The Texas State soccer team (6-3-1, 1-0-1 SBC) and Arkansas State (2-4-2, 0-1-1 SBC) battled to a scoreless draw Thursday afternoon from the A-State Soccer Complex. With the result, the Bobcats extended their unbeaten streak to five matches and have now shutout four consecutive opponents.
 
"Tough conditions today and it would have been great to walk away with three points. With that said, a shutout on the road is never easy. We just need to regroup and learn from this draw," said head coach Steve Holeman.
 
Both Lucy Hart and Olivia Wright attempted a match-high four shots while Alexis Neal and Wimberley Wright were the only other TXST players with multiple attempts with two each. Overall, the Bobcats outshot the Red Wolves 21-13 and held a 6-4 advantage in shots on goal.
 
Caitlyn Draper recorded her third straight shutout and made four saves on the afternoon. She exited the match having now surrendered a goal in her last 344:54 minutes between the posts.
 
A long-distance attempt from Keelyn Peacock just 90 seconds into the match clanked off the top of the crossbar. That would end up being the best attempt for the Red Wolves in the first half.
 
O. Wright was able to shake a defender and get inside the box two minutes later. However, her attempt was straight at the keeper.

4' A great opportunity from Liv

0-0 | #EatEmUp x @OliviaWrightttt pic.twitter.com/taXi4qdNEn

— Texas State Soccer (@TXStateSoccer) September 21, 2023

 
The Bobcats would end up outshooting the hosts 12-3 and placed four attempts on frame compared to none for ASU in the first 45 minutes in a scoreless period for both teams.
 
Just 62 seconds into the second half, O. Wright juked a defender and was able to unleash a shot from eight yards out. A Red Wolf defender slid into block the attempt that saw the ball appear to hit off her raised arm, but no whistle was blown that would have given TXST a penalty kick.
 
An attempted cross from Hart was knocked away near the crossbar by the ASU goalkeeper in the middle of the 59th minute. That would be Texas State's second to last shot on frame in the match with the final one being in the 72nd minute off the foot of Anna Mae Holeman.

59' Hart hits the crossbar

0-0 | #EatEmUp pic.twitter.com/w7013hPTcS

— Texas State Soccer (@TXStateSoccer) September 21, 2023

 
The Red Wolves turned up the pressure and had many near opportunities to put the ball past Draper. Off a corner kick late in the 63rd minute, Nicoline Hansen and Sarah Strong both had shots blocked near the line. ASU put the ball in the back of the net with under 18 minutes to play but it was waived off for offsides.
 
Emma Riley got her foot on a corner kick taken early in the 77th minute and Draper had to make a diving stop. However, the ball stayed in the six-yard box and a Red Wolf was able to get her foot on it but popped it over the crossbar.
 
The Bobcats are back home on Sunday when they host Troy. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. at the Bobcat Soccer Complex.
 
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