Soccer Starters
Back Light Productions
0
Hawaii Pacific HPU (1-2)
1
Winner Western Ore. WOU (2-2-1)
Hawaii Pacific HPU
(1-2)
0
Final
1
Western Ore. WOU
(2-2-1)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Hawaii Pacific HPU 0 0 0
Western Ore. WOU 1 0 1

Game Recap: Women's Soccer | | Brian Kortz

Soccer Shuts Down Sharks in 1-0 Home Opening Victory

MONMOUTH, Ore. – Backed by a defense that limited just seven shots, the Western Oregon University soccer team picked up the only goal early on in the first half and made it stand up as the Wolves claimed the 1-0 win over Hawaii Pacific in the home opener at the WOU Soccer Field on Thursday afternoon.

"It was so nice to finally get a home game. I'm really proud of our team today," Head Coach Kacey Bingham said. "They were so solid defensively and really limited goal scoring opportunities from a strong Hawaii Pacific front line. We're improving every game on our attacking game plan. We scored a great goal, but also produced some other dangerous chances."

WOU (2-2-1) kept Hawaii Pacific (1-2) to just two chances through the first 45 minutes and only five more over the second half. Of the seven total shots, only three made it to goal in which Alex Qualls recorded all three saves. It was the second shutout win of the season for WOU after opening the year with a 6-0 win against Western Colorado. WOU also controlled corner kicks getting 11 attempts to just one for the Sharks. 

"I'm so proud of my team for sticking to our game plan and shutting down Ebony Madrid, who is their leading scorer," Qualls said. "We stayed strong throughout the game, which resulted in us getting a win on our home field."

The backline stayed strong throughout the game with Nikki Hoey, Kaitlin Poe, Jacky Beristain and Malia Napoleon all logging 90 minutes. On the front line, Selene Konyn played all 90 minutes and Qualls played the full game in goal.

"Our defense has been very strong so far and I am proud of them. It's nice to have a defense that has been playing together for a while now. We trust each other and have each other's backs! I am very excited to see where this year takes us," Qualls added.

WOU came out firing right away with Alyssa Tomasini and Konyn generating shots over the first two minutes that just missed. After the defense stopped a rush by the Sharks, WOU countered and Hoey was able to transition the ball to the midfield for Tomasini who sent it on to Isabelle Creighton. She then got in one-on-one with the goal and as the goalie approached to try and cut the shot off, Creighton was able to tuck the shot in behind for the goal at the 12:30 mark of the first half.

"Today everyone showed up and played hard the full 90 minutes. Hawaii Pacific is an aggressive and quick team who knows how to break teams down, but we were able to find a way to shut them out and be creative enough up top to put one away. Overall it was a good team win," Creighton said.

The offense didn't let up with Konyn, Creighton, Hoey, Kaili Brundage and Jacky Beristain all taking shots over the first half. On the other end of the field, the Wolves kept Hawaii Pacific to just one shot at the 26:24 mark and nothing the remainder of the half.

Qualls came up with a pair of saves early in the second half to then allow the WOU offense to again go back on the attack. A few chances in front for Tomasini were just missed, with the second one being saved.

After a few more corner kicks just missed for the Wolves, the defense was able to stop a few late rushes by the Sharks, including a late corner kick and another throw in, to preserve the 1-0 shutout victory.

Tomasini and Creighton led the team with three shots apiece, both landing one on goal. Konyn tallied two shots.

Madrid led Hawaii Pacific with two shots and one on goal. Five other players had a shot with Maia Angell and Sydeny Vidos also landing shots on goal. Marissa Froio played all 90 minutes in goal and made two saves.

The home stand continues for the Wolves as they will host Cal State Dominguez Hills this Saturday at the WOU Soccer Field starting at 11:30 a.m.
 
 
 
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