DALLAS—For the second straight match, Gonzaga University's women's soccer team went to overtime on their non-conference trip to Texas Sunday afternoon. Unlike the previous instance, though, the Zags lost in extra time, falling 2-1 in the first overtime period to SMU in Dallas.
"It was tough to give up that goal in overtime," said Gonzaga head coach Amy Edwards, "but giving up the goal in the second half made it even tougher due to the 90 degree heat. But, at the end of the day, credit SMU. They got the game winner."
That overtime winner came 6:05 into the first overtime period when Lauren Guerra netted her second of the game. Guerra received a through-ball from Rikki Clarke and finished it into the lower left corner of the goal.
Both teams scored in the second half to force the match into overtime. The Zags got on the scoresheet first, scoring one second into the 54th minute. At the 53:01 mark, senior Mikayla Anderson netted her second goal of the weekend by finishing a pass from Katey Pennington in behind SMU's keeper.
SMU evened up the match in the 72nd minute when Guerra flicked a rebound off the crossbar into the Gonzaga net.
Both teams had chances to win the game in regulation. SMU was credited with four shots and three corners in the final 10 minutes, and the Zags' Karley Baggerly had a header in the front of the net saved by a member of the SMU defense.
The first half ended without a score by either team. Both sides had scoring opportunities in the opening period as well. Heather Johnson and Brittany Doan took attempts for the Zags, but both shots went wide. The hosts put four of their first-half shots on frame, but Gonzaga keeper Christie Tombari stopped all five for saves.
With the loss, the Zags (5-5-0) now begin West Coast Conference action, but not before a well-deserved weekend off. Gonzaga kicks off the WCC slate by hosting Saint Mary's Friday, Oct. 3 at 3:30 p.m. and Pacific two days later at 11:00 a.m. Both matches will take place on Luger Field on the Gonzaga campus.
