MONMOUTH, Ore. – Simon Fraser tallied a late goal in the first half and then scored an early goal in the second half on their way to holding off the Western Oregon University women's soccer team by a 3-0 score on Thursday in Great Northwest Athletic Conference action at the WOU Soccer Field.
Shots were close with Simon Fraser (3-6-1, 4-3-0 GNAC) holding a slight 15-13 overall advantage, but held a big 7-1 edge in shots on goal. WOU (3-6-2, 2-3-2 GNAC) took seven corner kicks to four for SFU and there were 16 fouls called in the game, 10 on the Wolves.
WOU entered the match on a four-game unbeaten streak that included a big win over Seattle Pacific and another shutout win over Central Washington. The Wolves also tied Montana State Billings and Northwest Nazarene over the past four games.
Simon Fraser generated several chances early on that Emily Wheeler turned away for saves. The Wolves got a few chances near the 20-minute mark when Chloe Smith's shot was blocked and Alyssa Talkington's chance a minute later was saved.
WOU had a good opportunity off a corner kick that Kaytlyn Larsen sent a header into the box that was just blocked before reaching the goalie. Approaching the final five minutes of the half, Simon Fraser put the first tally on the board when Emma Ferraro scored a header shot off a corner kick by Giuliana Zaurrini for the 1-0 lead in the 40th minute.
Right away to start the second half, Simon Fraser turned a corner kick into a two-goal lead. Zaurrini took the corner kick and after Ferraro's first shot was saved, Raegan Mackenzie was there for the goal off the rebound for the 2-0 lead in the 47th minute.
WOU looked to answer back with chances from Jenna Efraimson, Haley King and Piper Matson, but two shots just missed the net and another chance was blocked.
In the 66th minute, Simon Fraser recorded the final goal on the afternoon when Zaurrini ripped a shot from outside the box in the right corner that sailed into the upper part of the net for a 3-0 lead.
Smith, Lilly Nowatzke, Matson and Jada Foster all took shots over the final minutes, but weren't able to find a goal with SFU taking the 3-0 victory.
Smith led the Wolves with three shots, while Matson and Talkington added two apiece. Efraimson, Matson, Foster and Camille Darland played all 90 minutes. In goal, Wheeler started and made three saves over the first 67-plus minutes in goal. Olivia Holdenried played the final 22-plus minutes and came up with a save.
Mackenzie led Simon Fraser with five shots, while Zaurrini and Kiara Buono added three shots apiece. Nicole Anderson started in goal and played all 90 minutes coming away with one save.
WOU continues their homestand this Saturday when they face Saint Martin's starting at 2 p.m. at the WOU Soccer Field.
