Gonzaga University
Montana
Gonzaga Is In Seventh Heaven With 2-1 Win
9/24/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
MISSOULA, Mont. -Senior forward Annie Hawkins' breakaway goal in the 56th minute gave the Gonzaga University women's soccer team a 2-1 come-from-behind non-conference win over the University of Montana at South Campus Stadium Friday afternoon.
Hawkins' fifth goal of the season helped the Bulldogs improve to 7-2-0, their best start in program history. Montana drops to 3-5-1.
For the second game in a row the Zags were forced to play catch-up as Montana jumped out to the early lead in the 22nd minute when sophomore forward Lindsay Winans scored her third goal of the season. Winans controlled a pass from Mahlleace Tomsin and netted a shot from 15 yards out to give the Grizzlies the early advantage.
After the break the Bulldogs came out hauling as just about five minutes into the period Gonzaga was able to knot the game at one goal a piece. Freshman midfielder Jamie Blanche, recording her second assist, slotted a pass behind the Grizzlies backline to a streaking Heather Horn who slipped the ball past Montana goalkeeper Jamie Rizzuto.
The Bulldogs continued to push forward in the second half, looking for a second goal. Hawkins battled her way through a stingy Montana defense and found herself in a one-on-one situation with Rizzuto. Hawkins wasted no time as she launched a rocket shot from the left wing. The ball hit Rizzuto in the hands and rolled into the net to lift Gonzaga to its fourth consecutive win.
Both teams continued to battle throughout the second half. GU had several chances to extend its lead but shots from forwards Hawkins and Ashley Pryor were saved by Rizzuto.
The win marks only the second time in 14 tries that Gonzaga has defeated Montana in the history of the program.
Junior goalie Ashley Haugen recorded one save in picking up her seventh win of the season. Rizzuto recorded four saves in the loss.
Gonzaga will continue play at the Montana Fall Classic on Sunday as they play the University of Hawaii in an 11 a.m. match.
