MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon soccer defeated Northwest Nazarene on Thursday afternoon with three goals to secure the victory.
 
The Wolves (7-6-1, 3-5-1 GNAC) did not wait long to attack after the initial whistle that began the game. Dana Goularte and Makana Pundyke helped put the Wolves at a 2-0 lead within the first 15 minutes of the match. Three minutes after Western Oregon's second goal, the Crusaders (5-8-1, 2-6-1 GNAC) were on the Wolves' defensive end and responded with a goal of their own. Entering the second half, the ball was only in play for 39 seconds when Taylor Higa scored the final goal of the match.
 
In the eighth minute, Higa took a corner kick which would ultimately set up Goularte's goal. After a touch from Mariah Konyn, Goularte capitalized on the loose ball and buried the ball into the back of the net from inside the 18-yard box.
 
As the Wolves continued to push forward, they earned a penalty kick due to foul from a Northwest Nazarene defender. Pundyke stepped up to the line and slotted the ball in the goal for her sixth of the season. She now leads the team in goals scored.
 
Trying to keep the game close, the Crusaders came right back as Nicole Nsa placed a through ball for Hannah Holm to pick up and shoot toward the bottom left post.
 
Just like that, the score was 2-1 in the first 18 minutes of the game. While the score reflected a quiet first half after the goals, Western Oregon did take a total of 12 shots, whereas the Crusaders took three in the first half. The Wolves also created several dangerous opportunities with their four corners, as oppose to Northwest Nazarene's one.
 
When the second half came, the Wolves did not stop pressing for the offensive attack. Immediately after the whistle started off the half, Vicky Cruz Rosales took the ball down the sideline and passed it across the goal to the middle of the field. Higa saw the open opportunity and finished the ball into the right corner.
 
The Crusaders attempted to close the gap during the remainder of the game, slightly outshooting the Wolves, 4-3, in the second half. However, Western Oregon held onto the lead for the victory.
 
Overall, nine Wolves took their chances at goal to make up their 15 total shots. Higa led the team with four shots, Pundyke was close behind with three, and Allison Sprecher had two. Goularte, Rosales, Konyn, Dani Payne, Allison Frost, and Julie Belden had one apiece.  
 
Also, Goularte and Higa's goals marked their first ones of the season.
 
Goalkeeper Nicole Tejada made two saves throughout the entire match, whereas Northwest Nazarene's Daniele Ortiz made nine.
 
The Wolves will host their final home game of the season on Saturday against Montana State Billings. It is also the team's Senior Day as they will be honoring eight seniors.