Women's Soccer | 9/29/2011 7:15:00 PM

Box Score [Box Score] [10.1 WOU vs. SFU Game Notes]

MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University retuned home with hopes of getting back on track, and back to winning in front of their home crowd. The Vikings had other ideas; as Western Washington's Justina MacDowell scored two goals, en route to a Vikings 4-1 win against the Wolves, on Thursday, Sept. 29th at WOU Soccer Field.

After a tough road trip in Washington against Great Northwest Athletic Conference opponent, Central Washington, and two-time GNAC defending champions, Seattle Pacific. Western Oregon (2-5-2 overall, 1-3-1 GNAC) returned to their home pitch with hopes of getting back on track and gain some needed points in conference standings against Western Washington University.

MacDowell was a huge offensive piece for the Vikings, as she was able to score two goals within four minutes. Her first of the two goals came in the 18th minute when she scored during a set piece; as Emily Frankland fired a ball in from the left corner, just high enough for MacDowell to rise up above the pack and fire a hard shot to the back of the goal.

MacDowell's second goal came very similar fashion. This time she was able to get help from Kim Cooper. MacDowell did not have to rise as high this time as she fired off a line drive, via her header to score WWU third goal of the match.

The Vikings first goal did not take long for the momentum to shift in their favor, as they scored the first point of the game in the first minute. Brina Sych fired the ball in from the left corner, as Western Washington started a set piece against the Wolves, allowing Megan Chapin to break free and fire a header into the goal.

Western Washington's fourth goal came in the 81st minute as Joana Houplin received a well-placed ball from teammate Megan Chapin that arrived from top corner of the box. Houplin then fired it into the goal from 20 yards out.

The Wolves lone goal of the match came as JoEllen DeLeon broke away deep into the Vikings goal area, only to have Lindsay Bauman follow right behind. Bauman gave DeLeon a target to work with as they both worked together to set up a chance to get the ball into the back of the net. Bauman received a soft pass across the goal box, giving her a moment of daylight to trick the goalkeeper and fire the ball to the right, and into the goal.

As both teams battled throughout the match, they stayed neck-to-neck in the shots category. Western Washington had only one more shot at the end of regulation, (9-8).

The Wolves will have a day off to rest before they welcome in Simon Fraser (1-5-0 overall, 0-4-0 GNAC) on Saturday, Oct. 1st. Kickoff is at 11:00 a.m.