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Bulldogs Can't Catch Breaks, Fall To Washington State
Sept. 3, 2009
SPOKANE, Wash. - The Gonzaga University women's soccer team suffered its first defeat of the 2009 season Thursday, dropping a 3-0 decision to visiting Washington State University at the Gonzaga Soccer Field. The Bulldogs (2-1-0) new highly energetic offensive style of play came up just jus short against the Cougars (3-1-0) as several offensive chances were spoiled by some tough Cougar defense. The Zags also had a couple late offensive pressures come up just short, hitting the post and having two shots sail just high of goal in the final 15 minutes. After a series of offensive pressures by each club early in the match saw neither team come away with scores, the Bulldogs had a golden opportunity to take a 1-0 lead. In the 21st minute, a GU offensive attack saw the ball bounce around inside the WSU keeper box and had the keeper get caught up in the traffic of players outside the right post. The ball eventually popped out to Lori Conrad who fired a shot from 15 yards out towards the left corner of the net but had it headed away by a WSU defender who had recovered from the earlier scramble to keep the match scoreless. Nearly 10 minutes later, the Cougars found a crack in the Zags defense as WSU's leading goal scorer Kiersten Dallstream took a pass from Carly Dobratz up the left side and slipped a shot past a charging GU keeper Jessie Thalman for a 1-0 WSU lead. WSU dialed up the offensive pressure to start the second half and once again got through the Bulldogs defense. Maggie Dougher sent a long pass along the left sideline to a streaking Brandi Vega whose shot found the far right side of the net to give the Cougars a 2-0 advantage at the 57:34 mark. The Zags had three more chances to make a dent in the WSU lead late in the second half but were unable to catch a break. The first opportunity came with 15 minutes left in regulation as Ashley Railey corralled a loose ball just outside the 18 yard mark and fired towards the upper left corner only have the WSU keeper Meghan Berlingo leap and tip the ball away. Five minutes later, from 25 yards out Christi D'Agostino fired on goal off of her free kick only to have her shot hit the crossbar and after Sarah Rhodes gathered the rebound, she fired a shot that sailed high.
WSU went up 3-0 in the 82nd minute on Dallstream's second goal of the day to put the match out of reach. Thalman finished with a season-high six saves while Berlingo made one save for the Cougars. Conrad and Rhodes led the Zags with two shots a piece. Next up for the Bulldogs is a 1 p.m. Sunday match in Cheney, Wash. against Eastern Washington University. |
