Sept. 9, 2002

SPOKANE, Wash. -

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BULLDOGS CLOSE SEASON OPENING ROAD TRIP: The Gonzaga University Bulldogs (1-3-0) close their five-match season opening road schedule Saturday afternoon when they the visit Boise State University Broncos at Simplot Sports Complex. Gonzaga women's soccer returns to Martin Field for their home opener Friday, Sept. 20 against the Portland State University Vikings at Martin Field at 2 p.m.

LAST TIME OUT: The University of Oregon Ducks hosted the Gonzaga University Bulldogs for the first ever night game at Pape' Field. The Bulldogs snapped a 28-match losing skid Friday night as they shutout the Ducks 1-0. Freshman forward Heidi Jacobson scored her first collegiate career goal in the 48th minute on an assist from Annie Hawkins. It was the Bulldogs first win over the Ducks in four meetings. The Zags then headed up the freeway to meet the Oregon State University Beavers. The Beavers shutout the Bulldogs 2-0 with two late second-half goals. Goalkeeper Ashley Haugen was pulled from the game in the 67th minute after a collision injury. Midfielder Patty Blankenship filled the hole during the last 23 minutes as the Beavers offense pelted the Bulldogs with 19 second half shots. Oregon State now leads the series 10-0-0.

VS. BOISE STATE: The Boise State University Broncos (2-1-0) host the Gonzaga University Bulldogs (1-3-0) Saturday at 1 p.m. PST at Simplot Sports Complex. The Broncos are led by third-year head coach Steve Lucas who holds a 16-19-3 career record at Boise State. The Broncos are coming off two consecutive wins as they collected eight goals to clinch the Bengal Classic Tournament title in Pocatello, Idaho. Sophomore Breean Milligan and freshman Anna Howard lead the Broncos offense with two goals each while junior Abbe Roche has two assists. Boise State finished the 2001 campaign 10-7-1 overall and 5-3-0 in the Western Athletic Conference, tying for second place. Key returners include junior Kaziah Hill who led the team last season with 10 goals and seven assists and Megan McCoy who notched seven goals and six assists to finish the 2001 season. The Bulldogs and the Broncos are tied 1-1-0 in their two previous meetings. Boise State defeated Gonzaga Sept. 17, 2000 5-1 in Boise, Idaho.

WINNING WAYS RETURN: The Bulldogs returned to the win column Friday after notching a 1-0 shutout against the University of Oregon Ducks during the first ever night match at Pape' Field. Gonzaga had not posted a win since they defeated the Portland State Vikings 6-0 at home Sept. 19, 2000. While the Bulldogs are gaining ground in non-conference action they have remained winless against West Coast Conference opponents. Gonzaga posted their last WCC victory Oct. 29, 1999 against the University of San Francisco Lady Dons when they edged them 3-2.

HEAD COACH SHANNON STILES: Shannon Stiles enters her fourth season as the head coach of the Gonzaga University women's soccer team. Stiles has compiled a 11-46-2 career record while at Gonzaga. The Bulldogs finished the 2001 season 0-15-2. Stiles was also named one of five recipients of the second annual April Heinrichs/Nike Coaching Education Scholarship awarded by Nike, Inc. and U.S. National Women's Team head coach April Heinrichs in 2001.

NEW ASSISTANT COACH: Washington native Kieran Barton was hired as the new women's soccer assistant coach in June. Barton played for Gonzaga men's head coach Einar Thorarinson at Whitworth College from 1989-93 while he completed a biology degree. Barton recently finished his fifth season with the United Soccer Leagues A-League Seattle Sounders. He was also a two-year member of the Premier Development League Spokane Shadow. Barton replaces Daman Haggerott who returned to Whitworth after an 18-month sabbatical.

HEIDI JACOBSON FINDS THE NET: The younger set is leading the offense this season as the first three goals of the season were scored by a freshman and a sophomore. Freshman forward Hiedi Jacobson added herself to the Bulldog record books Friday night when she scored the game-winning goal to snap Gonzaga's 28-match losing skid. Jacobson found the net in the 48th minute against the University of Oregon Ducks when she nailed a shot from 20-yards out into the left corner of the net on an assist from Annie Hawkins.

ASHLEY HAUGEN TAKES HIT: Freshman goalkeeper Ashley Haugen was pulled from Sunday's game against Oregon State University in the 67th minute after a collision fractured her nose. Haugen had accumulated seven saves before being replaced by midfielder Patty Blankenship. While Haugen will not experience any long-term effects from the break, her status is not known for the Saturday match at Boise State University. She has amassed 33 saves in just four appearances in goal.

SHORT TERM GOALS: The Gonzaga University Bulldogs have amassed three goals in four matches with one win. The Bulldogs have not scored goals consecutively in their first three outings since their inaugural season in 1991 under head coach Cap Perry.