Huskies, Cougs, Zags win Women's openers

The State of Soccer saw Division One NCAA play get underway late in the week with women’s matches in Seattle, Pullman and Spokane.

See links and recaps below.

Huskies pose in a “Purple Storm” themed shot before the season. (UW Women’s Soccer Facebook)

(W) Seattle U Redhawks 0:2 Washington Huskies

SEATTLE - Goals by Lindsay Elston and Chelsea Archer plus huge saves by goalkeeper Kari Davidsonand the Husky defense led the UW soccer team to a 2-0 season opening victory at Seattle U on Friday night.

In the 90+ degree weather, the Huskies (1-0) and Redhawks (0-1) were even for most of the first half until Husky junior Elston (Sammamish, Wash.) scored the game-winning goal on a penalty kick in the 29th minute. Elston place the ball perfectly on the ground to the left of the keeper, Brianna Smallidge, who dove right.

“For the first game of the season I’m overall pleased,” said head coach Lesle Gallimore. “First games are always dicey because you don’t know what you are going to put out there, but I thought we started out ok.”

Fellow Husky junior Allie Beahan (Sammamish, Wash.) drew the PK after being fouled on the left side of the box.

No one got a shot off until the 19th minute of the game and that came from Seattle U’s Stephanie Verdoia. Davidson (Portland, Ore.) made her first save of the season. Davidson played all 90 minutes in goal, picking up the shutout and making 11 saves. Match Gallery here.

Read the entire article at GoHuskies.com

Lindsay Elston of Washington converts a first-half penalty kick for the Huskies. (Dale Garvey)

In the net but not on the scoreboard: this second-half goal by Seattle U was waved off by the officials. (Dale Garvey)

(W) Washington State Cougars 2:0 Eastern Washington Eagles

PULLMAN, Wash. - Sophomore Beau Bremer scored a goal and added an assist to lead Washington State women’s soccer past Eastern Washington 2-0 in an exhibition match, Friday at Lower Soccer Field.

The Cougars, which held an 18-3 advantage in shots, broke through late in the 32nd minute when Bremer scored from the left side of the box off a set piece. Senior Brandi Vega, an All-Pac-12 First Team selection in 2011 who tied for team lead in assists a year ago, set up Bremer for the goal.

Washington State added its second goal early in the 44th minute when sophomore Korynn Blanksmaconverted from three yards out off a cross from Bremer.

“We were really good in the first 35 (minutes) or so,” Cougar Head Coach Keidane McAlpinesaid. “The team came out really strong and we created some chances.”

Washington State controlled the run of play for most of the match, earning nine corner kicks to the Eagles’ one. Gurveen Clair, a redshirt-sophomore, and senior Ariana Byrdsplit time in goal with neither being forced to make a save.

The Cougars open their regular season, Sunday when they host Gonzaga at 3 p.m. Admission is free at Lower Soccer Field.

(From www.WSUCougars.com)

Zags pose in a pre-season photo on their Facebook page.

(W) Gonzaga Bulldogs 3:1 South Dakota Coyotes

SPOKANE, Wash. - The perfect combination of veterans and newcomers bolstered the Gonzaga University women’s soccer team to a season-opening 3-1 victory over visiting University of South Dakota Friday at the Gonzaga Soccer Field. Senior forward Emma Dolcetti notched the first Zag goal of the season, while freshman midfielder/forward Sila Tuiofea tallied two goals in her first collegiate game of her career. Match Photo Gallery

“Certainly you want a strong group of veterans to lead the way and then let your young freshman have that confidence with that group behind them and that is what you saw today,” explained Bulldog head coach Amy Edwards after the match.

Gonzaga got on the board just two minutes into the contest with Dolcetti’s ninth goal of her career. Speedy sophomore Katey Pennington tracked a ball on the end line that South Dakota seemed to think was headed for out-of-bounds. Pennington placed a cross at the back of the goal, which freshman midfielder Heather Johnson headed back towards goal. It was Dolcetti that then got her own head on the ball, and headed it into the left corner of the net.

“Emma had great work rate up front for us today,” stated Edwards. “That first goal was incredible. It was great work rate by Heather to head it back and keep it in play and for Emma to certainly finish it.”

Read the rest of the article at www.GoZags.com

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