MORGANTOWN, W. Va. – Both Villanova and West Virginia landed one shot on frame Sunday afternoon as the sides battled to a 0-0 draw at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium.
 
"West Virginia is a phenomenal team. They have a lot of really big players, they have a tradition of winning here, a tradition of excellence in what they do on the field," head coach Samar Azem said. "We knew it would be a big battle today, and I was very impressed with the way we played. When we didn't have the ball, we were incredibly organized. Our players did such an incredible job of figuring out a lot of the problems they caused us in their rotations, and I thought we were actually dangerous when we didn't have the ball because of those transitional moments."
 
This is the first time in 2023 that Villanova (3-0-3) did not score a goal after scoring at least once in each of the five previous games. The draw continues the unbeaten streak for the 'Cats, marking the program's second litany of six unbeaten games since 2021. This current line of results builds onto a nine-match unbeaten streak for Azem's group that stretches back to the final three games of the 2022 season.
 
The draw with West Virginia (2-4-2) marks the first draw with a Power Five team since August 19, 2012 when the Wildcats drew with No. 13 Maryland, then a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), 0-0.
 
Both Rylee Donaldson and Alex Fava recorded shot attempts for the 'Cats as they were outshot 8-2, but Donaldson was the only one to land one on goal. West Virginia's Chloe Adler led all players with two attempts. Both Payton Woodward and WVU's Kayza Massey saved the lone shots they faced. Villanova led the corner kick tally in each contest this season coming into Saturday but West Virginia held the advantage, 8-4.
 
"We gave them a few too many corners, but what we did do was defend really well against those," Azem said. "We've given up two goals this year and both have been on corners. To come up against a team that's very dangerous in the air, not give up a goal on a corner despite giving up so many corners, I thought it was a positive takeaway."
 
"I'm really proud of us," Woodward said. "I think we came out here and worked really hard, played together, played as a team. I couldn't tell you a single moment we didn't have 11 players on the field working as hard as they could, so a lot of growth from us. I'm excited to keep going."
 
Villanova's first chance to get on the board came in the 15^th minutes after receiving a loss pass from Jackie Richards. Donaldson sent an attempt from seven yards outside of the net, but it was grabbed by Massey right at the post.
 
The Mountaineers jumped onto a breakaway chance in the 37^th minute with Emily Thompson making a pass to an open Gabby Lamparty who was streaking into the penalty box. Her shot was quickly saved by Woodward who made her way above the goal box to keep the game scoreless.
 
The Wildcats trailed in shots 5-1 through the first half with both sides landing one shot on goal.
 
Villanova was awarded a corner in the 76^th minute with Susanna Soderman lining up to take the kick. Her shot sailed into the box to find the head of Fava, but her header went right of the goal.
 
This five-game road stint comes to a close on Thursday as the 'Cats make the short trip to Penn. Kickoff against the Quakers is set for 6 p.m. from Penn Park.