By Dylan Vazzano, TTU Sports Information Coordinator

MACON, Ga. -- It was another stellar defensive effort for the Tennessee Tech soccer team as the Golden Eagles blanked Mercer en route to a scoreless draw to begin the club's weekend in Georgia.

Tech (1-3-1) checks the tie column for the first time this season, fending off 12 Mercer (1-3-1) shots in a match that could not be decided in 110 minutes of action, despite a late TTU charge that saw a pair of Golden Eagle shots in the final minute of double overtime.

Tech's senior tandem of Taylor Sutton and Taylor Blazei each rattled off a shot in the closing stages of the tilt, with both attempts halted by Bear goalkeeper Maggie Cropp. Sutton let one loose with 59 seconds, while Blazei's last ditch effort came with only 19 ticks left. Cropp ended the affair with six saves.

Across the pitch, TTU freshman goalkeeper Kari Naerdemann secured her first collegiate shutout, halting four Mercer shots. The Herne, Germany native continues to impress in net, leading the OVC in save-percentage.

Tech's stout defense helped the Golden Eagles reach a piece of program history as well. For the first time in school history, TTU begins a season with five-straight first half shutouts.

Offensively, Taylor Sutton led Tech with three shots to finish in a dead heat with Mercer's Katelyn Dimopoulos for the match-high. The Golden Eagles notched six shots on-goal, two more than the Bears, using a balanced attack that saw six different TTU players attempt a shot on-goal.

Tech will conclude its two-match road swing in Georgia on Sunday, traveling to Georgia State for a 1 p.m. CT matchup with the Panthers.