WEST HAVEN, Conn. – In an early-season battle of unbeaten, both teams retained their unblemished records as the University of New Haven women's soccer team played Assumption to a 1-1 draw on Wednesday afternoon on Kayo Field. Natasha Purchla (Oakdale, N.Y./Connetquot) made 14 saves to preserve the deadlock.
 
The draw runs the Chargers' overall record to 3-0-2, the first time in program history that UNH has been unbeaten through five matches. New Haven moves to 1-0-1 in the Northeast-10 Conference. The visiting Greyhounds also stay unbeaten at 2-0-2 on the season with an 0-0-2 NE-10 mark.
 
Purchla, the reigning Northeast-10 Goalkeeper of the Week, is the first New Haven goalkeeper with 14 or more saves since Kim Taylor turned away 14 Adelphi offerings on Oct. 27, 2010.
 
The Chargers' goal came in the fourth minute off the foot of Amber Simms (Southport, England/Southport). Monica Yanez (West Haven, Conn./West Haven) received the ball near midfield and went on a run to the box, where she connected with Simms who finished the opportunity to give New Haven an early 1-0 lead.

The marker is Simms' fourth of the fall, one behind Yanez for the team lead. The helper for Yanez is her second assist and 12th point this season.
 
Assumption netted the equalizer just before halftime when Andrea Bates capitalized on a failed New Haven clear in the 42nd minute to bury her third goal of the season.
 
After being outshot, 15-6, in the first half, New Haven would hold a 15-8 advantage in shots over the final 65 minutes. However, neither team could convert as Purchla and Greyhounds' goalkeeper Rachel Edgin traded saves for the remainder of the match.

Edgin made seven stops for Assumption.
 
The Chargers return to action on Saturday, Sept. 21 with a trip to Bentley. New Haven is back on Kayo Field on Tuesday, Sept. 24 for a 4 p.m. visit from Le Moyne. That match will be broadcast live in high definition and free of charge on NewHavenChargers.com.