PANTHERSVILLE, Ga. – On paper it looked like a tough match-up for the Virginia Commonwealth University women's soccer team.

Georgia State had won six of its past seven games and the Rams were dealing with injuries that had shorthanded its offense. However, on Sunday afternoon, the Black & Gold flexed its defensive muscle and controlled the pace of play en route to a 0-0 tie with the Panthers.

"Sundays are always a check of mental toughness having only one day of rest," Co-Head Coach Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak said. "I'm really proud of the way our team came out strong and battled against a tough opponent."

With the tie, VCU has now allowed just three goals in the past four outings and holds a 4-6-4 overall record and 0-4-2 conference mark. Georgia State moves to 10-3-2 and 4-1-1 on the campaign.

"Georgia State is a very athletic and aggressive team that has gotten great results against some of the top teams in the conference play," Roberts Sahaydak said.

The Rams grabbed control right from the start and nearly got on the board when junior Heather Hovanesian forced GSU goalkeeper Kellianne Collins to make two saves in the first 25 minutes.

After back-and-forth play for much of the second half, VCU became the aggressor in the final minutes, starting when  Azania got loose on a breakaway, but once again Collins was able to make a great diving save.

In the 83^rd minute, a corner kick from junior Meaghan Dullea bounced around in the box and was almost put away by sophomore Lauryn Hutchinson, but once again the Rams weren't able to find the back of the net.

The overtime period was no different with the Black & Gold forcing Collins to make four saves, including a great save on another breakaway from Azania.

"I'm pleased with the aggressiveness we played with over the final 15 minutes and overtime periods," Roberts Sahaydak said. "I really think we are right on the verge of breaking out offensively."

Overall, the Black & Gold owned a 10-9 shot advantage with seven of those shots being on target, while GSU only tallied two shots on goal.

Freshman Megan Lynch (pictured, right) tallied her sixth shutout of the season, tallying two saves on the afternoon.

The Rams are back in action on Friday evening when the Fightin' Blue Hens of the University of Delaware visit VCU's Sports Backers Stadium for a 7 p.m. contest.