WORCESTER, Mass. -- The Wheaton College (Mass.) men's soccer team played host Clark University (Mass.) to a 0-0 tie in the New England Women's & Men's Athletic Conference opener this afternoon at Granger Field in Worcester, Mass.

The Lyons are now 3-3-2 overall and 0-0-1 in league play, while the Cougars are 3-2-3 and 0-0-1.

Wheaton outshot its host, 16-10, including 6-2 in shots on frame, while each team was awarded three corner kicks.

The Lyons held an 8-2 shooting margin in the opening half and got their first good scoring opportunity in the 21st minute of play. First year forward Gael Vera (Westminster, Mass.) lifted a bending shot ticketed for the far right post, but Clark junior keeper Diego Marin (Guaynabo, Puerto Rico) made a diving stop to his left to keep the match scoreless.

Wheaton junior midfielder Aidan Doyle (Kingston, Mass.) fired a close range shot on the ground with 15:58 left in the opening stanza, but Marin stopped the shot and was able to cover the rebound before the Lyons could attempt another try. The shot was one of two on net for Doyle in the match.

The Cougars also had a scoring opportunity in the 54th minute of action. Senior forward William Lopez (Brooklyn, N.Y.) unleashed a hard shot into the right post, but Wheaton junior goalie Michael O'Gara (Ardmore, Pa.) denied the shot with an outstretched dive to his left. Lopez finished the day with a game-high four shots.

O'Gara finished the contest with a pair of saves to record his first blank sheet of the season and the 11th of his career for the Lyons, while Marin posted his third shutout of the year and fifth of his tenure at Clark.

Wheaton returns to the pitch on Tuesday, September 24 when it hosts Brandeis University at 4:00 p.m. on Keefe Field, while the Cougars head to Springfield, Mass. to take on NEWMAC foe Springfield College on September 28 at 1:00 p.m.