Women's Soccer | 10/30/2008 12:39:32 AM
Box Score MONMOUTH, Ore. - The Western Oregon University women's soccer team fell in double overtime in its last home match of the season to Saint Martin's 2-1, Wednesday, Oct. 29.
The loss drops the Wolves record to 7-8-2 on the season and to 3-4-2 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. The loss drops Western Oregon into sixth place in the GNAC with 11 points and propels Saint Martin's (6-10-1, 4-6-1 GNAC) into a tie with Central Washington for third place in the conference standings with 13 points.
Both goals in regulation were scored off of penalty kicks. Saint Martin's got the first goal of the match one minute into the second period as the GNAC's leading goal scorer Jill Jensen was dragged down on the left side of the penalty box. On the penalty kick, Western Oregon goalkeeper Kelsie Blachly guessed the correct direction but Jensen kept her shot low to the ground and was able to sneak the ball in the bottom left corner of the net for the goal.
The GNAC's second-leading goal scorer, Melinda Ingalls, would answer back in the 52nd minute, with a goal of her own to tie the match at one goal apiece. Ingalls dribbled the ball through the penalty box headed for the end line but before she got there Ingalls was taken out by a Saint Martin's defender, giving Western Oregon and Ingalls the penalty kick. Ingalls approached her shot much like Jensen of SMU, as she chose to take a low shot to the bottom right corner of the net, and just like Jensen's shot it made it pass the opposing goalkeeper. This was Ingalls 10th goal and 23rd point this season. With the goal, she moved into fourth place on Western Oregon's all-time single-season scoring list, passing Mary Mulkey's 22 points in 2002.
The two teams would continue taking shots in regulation and overtime but it was not until the second overtime period that both teams had the opportunity to win the match. The Wolves chance came in the 13th minute of overtime as senior Kristen Werhane snuck behind the defense and took a shot which Saint Martin's goalkeeper managed to save diving on the end line to keep the ball from crossing the goal line.
Saint Martin's then had its opportunity for the win in the 15th minute of overtime as it managed four consecutive shots on goal. Amber Pratt's initial shot from the right side of the field was blocked by Blachly but she was unable to control the ball. It then found its way to Jensen who took the shot but it deflected off the crossbar and remained in play. Kayci Donatelli then took another shot from in front of the goal but Blachly was able to get a hand on it and poke it to the left side of the net, unfortunately for the Wolves Jensen was there waiting for the rebound and deposited the ball in the net for her second goal of the match.
Western Oregon is now 1-2-2 in its overtime matches this season. The Wolves were outshot 19-14 on the day but still had one more shots on goal than the Saints (6-5). Ingalls lead the way for WOU with four shots. Brittney Rigtrup played the entire first half in net and recorded three saves. She gave way in the second half to Blachly who recorded a save of her own.
The Western Oregon women's soccer team will now travel to Ellensburg, Wash., to face Central Washington Saturday, Nov. 1, at noon.
