PRINCE ATHLETIC COMPLEX –  University of Rochester women's soccer battled the University of Chicago to a scoreless draw on Sunday at Fauver Stadium in their University Athletic Association (UAA) opener.
 
Rochester looked to grab the early lead against the Maroons as Carolyn Richards nearly found the back of the net, with her shot just missing and skimming the outside of the left post.
 
But Richards' shot went just wide, as did Claire Grover's 21st-minute shot, and the 'Jackets and Maroons remained scoreless early on.
 
UChicago picked up their first shot against Gabby Sabatier, getting her first start in goal for UR, in the 20th minute, as Maggie Jameson put the ball on goal, but Sabatier made one of her three first-half saves.
 
Hannah Rittenhouse put her lone shot on goal in the 24th minute, forcing Sabatier to make another save, while Sarah Martin matched her on the other end with a shot on goal in the 26th minute.
 
The two sides would combine for just three shots the rest of the first half, and head into the locker room even with four shots apiece, but without any goals to show for it.
 
UR got an early corner kick to start the second half after Sophie Pilarski couldn't corral Richards' long cross, but UChicago's defense kept the Yellowjackets from taking advantage.
 
On the other end, Rochester's defense held Chicago without a shot till the 71st minute, when Mary Stuart Kerrigan's shot went wide after a Maroon corner.
 
The Yellowjackets then took it the other way, and Riya Kunderan nearly found the back of the net, juking a defender and sending a hard shot at Pilarski. But Chicago's keeper made the save and then another on Kunderan's shot on the rebound, keeping UR from taking the lead.
 
Just minutes later, Natalie Kocsis looked to break the scoreless draw, chipping it in from about 12-yards out, but again, Pilarski made the save, one of four on the day for the sophomore.
 
Robin de Jong followed Kocsis' shot with a shot wide right, and Richards added another in the 86th minute that sailed just high and wide, while UChicago added two shots, one wide and one blocked, before the final horn sounded with the two sides still scoreless at 0-0.
 
Rochester earns the first result of UAA play, moving to 5-1-4 (0-0-1 UAA) with the draw, while Chicago takes their first draw, moving to 7-3-1 (0-0-1) on the year.
 
Richards led UR with three shots, while Martin and Kunderan each tallied two. Sabatier made three saves in her first career start for Rochester, facing seven total shots.
 
As a team, the Yellowjackets outshot the Maroons, 10-7, with each team taking three corners.
 
Rochester next heads to St. Louis, MO on Sunday, Oct. 9, continuing UAA play against Washington University in St. Louis at 1:30 p.m. CST.