Sept. 6, 2009
Box Score
CHENEY, Wash. - Gonzaga University used goals from Lori Conrad and Jessie Sorenson to record a 2-0 road victory over Eastern Washington University Sunday afternoon. The win was Gonzaga head coach Amy Edwards' 50th career coaching victory after recording three wins with the Zags so far this season and 47 wins in her four seasons at the University of Tulsa earlier in her career.
The Bulldogs (3-1-0) posted their seventh consecutive victory over the Eagles (1-3-0) by firing a season-high 30 shots while playing in very windy conditions that affected a number of shots and long passes by both teams throughout the match. In the end though, the two goals proved to be enough as GU produced an impressive defensive performance that saw them hold EWU to just six shots, none of which that were on goal.
"Today was a very good rebound win for us after dropping a tough match to WSU the other day," commented Edwards. "We put together some good offensive pressures early on and then continued the pressure throughout the match which eventually led to the late goal. We had a number of players contribute for us again today. It was a very good to get the win while playing in some tough conditions against a solid opponent on the road today."
Playing with the wind in the first half, the Bulldogs struck early as Morgan Manchester launched a throw from the right sideline all the way into the box that Conrad headed into the right corner. Conrad's team-leading third netter of the season gave the Zags a 1-0 lead at the 3:08 mark.
"With the windy conditions we knew that Morgan would be a weapon for us today," stated Edwards. "It was great execution by both players on the play. Morgan made a great throw and Lori got in good position and made another big play for us."
Gonzaga had a couple more good looks later in the half as Sheridan Jones and Katie Spangenberg each just missed on adding to the lead. Jones let loose on a shot from just inside the right 18 mark that glanced off the EWU keeper's hands and began to roll away. Spangenberg then rushed through the box and tried to kick one into the left corner of goal but had the shot sail wide.
The Zags never really faced any offensive pressures from the Eagles throughout the first period and took a 1-0 lead and 16-3 shot advantage into the half.
More of the same type of play took place in the second half as the Bulldogs held possession in EWU territory for most of the second period. The Gonzaga depth began to wear down the Eagles as GU seemed to stay a step quicker in the half, leading to some offensive chances late in the match. Sarah Rhodes, the team's leader in shots, nearly recorded her second goal of the season as she dribbled up the right side of the 18-yard box and lined a shot towards the right post that was tipped away a diving Eagles' keeper Lisa Dimak.
Minutes after the Rhodes miss, the Zags put the match away in the 89th minute as Ashley Riley took the ball up the left sideline and sent a left cross towards the net that Rhodes received and again fired on goal only to have it turned away but not out of the box. Sorenson who had crashed the net on the Rhodes miss, pounded home the loose ball for her second score of the season.
"Our depth led to those late offensive opportunities as the front line really worked hard on trying to get us one more score," commented Edwards. "Riley delivered a good ball and Sarah and Jessie each got some good looks on goal and we got nice break as Jessie kicked in the loose ball."
Gonzaga keeper Jessie Thalman did not have to make any saves but was a big part of the win as she gave the Zags great field position throughout the day with her long kicks down the field. Dimak made 10 saves for the Eagles.
Next up the Bulldogs is a trip to California to face national powers University of Southern California on Friday and UCLA next Sunday. Gonzaga's next home match is Sept. 17 at 3 p.m. against Seattle University.
