Aug. 31, 2008
Box Score
SPOKANE, Wash. - The Gonzaga University women's soccer team dropped a 2-1 decision to the University of Washington Sunday afternoon at the new Gonzaga Soccer Field. The Huskies (2-0-0) picked up the match-winning goal in the 80th minute to hand the Bulldogs (2-2-0) their second loss of the season.
The Zags were outshot 5-1 in the first half but made the most of their one shot. Redshirt freshman Katie Spangenberg gave Gonzaga a 1-0 lead at the 38:15 mark with her first career goal. Spangenberg took a pass from sophomore Sheridan Jones along the left sideline and sent a shot from about 25 yards out. Spangenberg's shot caught Washington keeper Alex Phillips off guard and out of position. The ball sailed over a back pedaling Phillips and into the right corner of the net for the score. In the second half, the Huskies continued to challenge the Bulldog defense.
Coming up on the 66th minute, Washington put together another offensive push that saw Hannah Greig controlling the ball deep in GU territory. Grieg had dribbled down the right side and to within 15 yards from goal, she managed to send a cross that went through a Bulldog defender and a diving keeper Lauren Ames. Another Bulldog defender stepped in and attempted to clear the ball while inside the goal box but Husky Melissa Beal blocked the clearing attempt and punched the ball into an empty net to tie the game at 1-1.
UW again pressured the Zag defense and with less than 10 minutes left in regulation another Husky offensive attack, aided by a no-foul call, resulted in a three-on-two UW advantage. Jones had held possession for GU deep inside her own zone and was attempting to clear the ball when Alex Kirk slid into her from behind. The ball ended up at Washington's Veronica Perez' feet. Perez led the Husky advantage and dribbled into open space and found the back left corner of the net from about 15 yards away for the eventual match-winner. Gonzaga made a couple late rushes but the Husky defense held strong, sending the Bulldogs to their first home loss at the new Gonzaga Soccer Field.
UW outshot the Bulldogs 15-3 on the day and won the corner kick advantage, 9-0. Ames made two saves for GU and Jones picked up her first assist of the season.
The Bulldogs continue their four-game homestand with a match against Cal State University Bakersfield Sunday at 1 p.m.
