Oct. 12, 2008
Box Score
SPOKANE, Wash. - The Gonzaga University women's soccer team dropped a 4-0 decision to #3 ranked University of Portland the Gonzaga Soccer Field Sunday afternoon. The Bulldogs' record falls to 5-7-2 overall and 0-1-0 in WCC play as the Pilots improve to 11-1-0 overall and 1-0-0 in WCC.
The Pilots were on the attack early, pressuring the Bulldog defense into a couple miscues. Portland posted its first goal at the 11:48 mark as Megan Rapinoe fired a shot from just inside the 18 that could not be corralled by Gonzaga sophomore keeper Lauren Ames and into the goal for the early score. Just four minutes later, UP continued the offensive pressure and added another goal as Sophie Schmidt picked up her first of two goals on the day on a free kick following a GU foul just outside the 18. Schmidt found the far right corner just inside the post and just past a diving Ames to give the Pilots a 2-0 lead.
The young Bulldog squad regrouped and put together a couple offensive runs late in the first half as freshman Sarah Rhodes shot from just inside the 18 along the right side was grabbed by leaping Portland keeper Kelsey Davis. Just over two minutes later Gonzaga sophomore Ashley Railey had a chance to but the Zags on the board as she took a right cross from freshman Courtney Peacock and fired on net from inside the keeper box but it was turned away by a sliding Pilot defender to preserve a 2-0 lead at the break.
To open the second half, the Zags again put together a couple of runs that broke down the Portland defense as Railey took a slip pass from Peacock from 10 yards out and again had her shot deflected wide by a sliding Pilot defender. The UP defense held strong the rest of the way and Schmidt adder her second goal of the day and Janelle Jacka also posted a goal for the #3 ranked team according to NSCAA/adidas national poll.
Rhodes and Railey led the Zags with three shots apiece as Ames and junior Jessie Thalman each made one save. UP finished with a 20-6 shot advantage and had Davis make two saves.
Gonzaga continues WCC play with two home matches next week, facing Pepperdine University Friday at Noon and Loyola Marymount University next Sunday at 1 p.m.
