SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Playing the first of two ranked teams this weekend, Santa Clara women's soccer tied No. 20 Notre Dame 0-0 Friday night at Stevens Stadium. It was the third straight overtime contest for the Broncos and already their fifth in the season.

Both teams created dangerous chances throughout the 110 minutes of play but neither could put on the finishing touches. The Broncos (2-2-3) put six shots on goal to three from the Irish (5-1-1). Santa Clara outshot Notre Dame 7-4 in the second half and overtime.

"I liked what I saw from the team today," Santa Clara head coach Jerry Smith said. "Both teams played hard. When you're playing top-25 teams the margin of error is so slim. It was there for either team but I think a tie was a fair result."

Senior Jordan Jesolva created the most dangerous chances on the field. She has two shots saved by Notre Dame goalkeeper Kaela Little and another that sailed just wide of the frame.

"Jordan is still recovering a little from an injury she had over the summer but she's getting closer and closer every week," Smith said. "She's our leading goal scorer and created some of the best chances tonight. She's getting close to being her old self and when she gets there she'll really help our scoring punch."

The Broncos also showed a new toughness from the opening kick. In a physical game from the start, Santa Clara matched Notre Dame blow for blow.

"I told the team before overtime that I feel them growing in terms of their toughness and grittiness," Smith said. "We were really tough on the defensive end and only allowed three shots on goal to a good Notre Dame team. We worked hard and made it difficult for them."

The best chance of the game came just over a minute remaining in the second overtime period. Julie Vass took a free kick and hit a ball that just cleared the crossbar to keep the game scoreless.

Notre Dame had a good chance of its own just minutes earlier. Melissa Lowder misplayed a ball and it went in front of an empty net but the Bronco defense intervened to clear the ball.

Santa Clara returns to action Sunday at noon against No. 10 Minnesota at Stevens Stadium.