WSOC Comes Back in Grand Fashion at USF
11/3/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
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SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.—The grit of the Gonzaga University women's soccer team was on full display Sunday as the Zags turned a 0-2 deficit into a 3-2 victory over the University of San Francisco at Negoesco Stadium in San Francisco.
"San Francisco is a quality opponent and Negoesco Stadium is the toughest venue in our conference to play at," said Gonzaga women's soccer head coach Amy Edwards. "Finding a way to get three goals to win that game against a gritty opponent like USF was incredibly impressive."
The Zags ceded the Dons a pair of goals in the match's first 20 minutes. Sydnie Telson netted the first for USF in the match's fourth minute while Alex Alugus bounced a shot in off the bar for the second goal of the match.
Gonzaga didn't give up, however, as the Zags brought one back before halftime with a 36th minute goal by Heather Johnson. Forward Karley Baggerly began the scoring play by sending in a short cross to Johnson from the right side of the box. Johnson chipped the pass into the back of the net and in to cut the Zags' deficit to just one.
"We had a slow start," said Edwards. "The team did not drop their heads, however, and they were able to get one back in the first half. That was very important, to get one back before halftime. Karly and Heather's work rate was fantastic and a big reason why we were able to score that first goal."
In the first 15 minutes of the second half, the two squads traded shots, neither side forcing one on frame. The momentum drastically shifted to Gonzaga's side in the 64th minute, however, when they drew a corner kick. Mikayla Anderson stepped up to take the corner, and she found the head of Lexi Clark, who nodded the set piece in to bring the game level at two apiece. The Zags drew another corner in the 66th minute, and with 65:30 showing on the clock, Anderson connected with Johnson this time for the go-ahead goal. Although she didn't factor into either goal directly, Baggerly's presence in the box on both free kicks.
"Karly is dangerous and teams have to focus on her," said Edwards. "Those free kicks and corners were due to her."
San Francisco tried to work some of their own corner kick magic at the end of the game, attempting three corners in the final 39 seconds of the match. The Dons got a shot off on the second attempt, but Christie Tombari made a great save off Jessica Nakae to keep the Zags ahead. Senior defender Cricket Harber solidified the win for Gonzaga on the third corner kick, clearing the ball from danger and allowing time to run out.
"It was to the end for us," said Edwards. "For us to stay strong and not give anything up on three corners in a row during that last minute was impressive."
With the 3-2 victory, the Zags earned their first victory at San Francisco since 2008, a 1-0 win against the Dons on Oct. 26. Seeing as Edwards took over the program in 2009, it's her first ever away victory over the Dons.
At 9-8-1 overall and 4-3-1 in West Coast Conference play, the Bulldogs can now finish no worse than .500 both overall and in conference play. This is the Zags' best overall record since going 12-7-1 in 2007 their first WCC season at .500 or better since 2005. They wrap up the regular season on Saturday, Nov. 8, when they host Portland at 1:00 p.m. at Luger Field. Prior to the match, the Zags will honor the seven seniors who will be playing their final home match in a Gonzaga uniform.
