PORTLAND, Ore. – Gonzaga women's soccer scored twice in the final 15 minutes to earn a 2-1 comeback victory at Portland Wednesday.
When the Zags (9-2-1, 2-0-0 West Coast Conference) needed scoring the most, they got two goals from first-time scorers of the season. Trailing 1-0 with less than 15 minutes to play, GU had back-to-back goals within 79 seconds.
It was a matchup of the nation's top scoring offense, Gonzaga (3.55 goals per game), and the nation's top defense, Portland (.200 goals allowed average). The Pilots (7-2-2) entered the game on an eight-match unbeaten streak, featuring six consecutive shutouts. Portland had only allowed two goals through its first 10 games, which led the country.
The Pilots opened the scoring in the sixth minute as MacKenzie Frimpong-Ellertson found the back of the net for the first time this season.
After a foul negated a tying score in the 74
th minute, the Zags'
Chelsea Le struck a shot well outside the box off a dribble for the equalizing goal in the 78
th minute.
Just a minute and 19 seconds later,
Maddie Kemp crossed in a corner kick that was struck in by
Grace Courter for the game-winner. It was Courter's second career goal and Kemp's 15
th career assist.
Lauren Towne made nine saves for Gonzaga. Bre Norris had seven for the Pilots.
The Zags return home to host San Francisco (4-5-2, 1-0-0) Saturday at 6 p.m.
