After 110 minutes of scoreless play on Sunday, the No. 13 Washington University men’s soccer team had delivered No. 9 Emory University its first tie of the season. The Bears (7-0-3), continued their defensive success with another shutout in the first contest of University Athletic Association play.

Emory, one of Wash. U.’s biggest rivals, forced the Bears to defend early. The Eagles began the game with three corner kicks in short succession.

“We had a little bit of a scare in the beginning,” sophomore midfielder Brian Wright said. “We played well and defended, got everything out. We weathered the storm in the beginning and then started to pick it up.”

The Red and Green had several threatening chances to score as the first half closed but was not able to capitalize on any opportunities. Sophomore forward Zachary Query led the Bears with six shots.

“We knew they’re a very fast team, a very physical team, so our style of play is we like to knock the ball, play it in the middle and look for our playmakers in the middle and distribute well,” freshman defender Nik Patel said. “Technically, I didn’t feel they were as strong as us—so technically, we wanted to take advantage of them…we started building momentum, but we just couldn’t find that one, quick put-away.”

Patel, along with senior captain Alex Neumann and fellow seniors Harry Beddo and Randall Schoen, compose a back line that has made the Bears difficult to attack. In combination with their goalies, senior Andrew Serio and freshman Jonathan Jebson, the Bears defense has allowed just three goals in 10 games this season.

“Randy, Harry and Alex are the backbone of our team defensively,” head coach Joe Clarke said. “They’re experienced, and they bring the other guys along.”

In the second half, the Red and Green threatened on a free kick from senior midfielder Cody Costakis.

“[The play was one] we’ve been practicing where Cody can either serve [the ball] or play it to Nik,” Wright said. “Nik played a great ball over the top to Zach [Query] which was unfortunate—it just went wide. We’ve been working on those plays a lot.”

In contrast to the Bears, whose game strategy focused on passing and movement, the Eagles’ strength relied on long throw-ins and set pieces.

“They are really good in the air, especially their center midfielders and their center backs—they were really good at knocking everything back down and coming right back at us,” Wright said. “Their size is definitely a big threat on free kicks, corner kicks and the long throw-in. The is probably the most dangerous part of their game.”

After two scoreless halves, the teams continued for two overtime periods. While each team had offensive opportunities, neither could achieve the final touch for the win.

“We had periods where we were putting a lot of pressure on them, and they had periods where they were putting a lot of pressure on us—certainly in the latter part of the game,” Clarke said. “Both teams had some really good chances. I think it was a great effort by our team against a top team.”

The Bears continue play on Wednesday in a non-conference game against Westminster College in Fulton, Mo. at 7 p.m. They continue conference play on Sunday in a match-up against No. 2 Carnegie Mellon University (8-1-0).