Box Score BOX SCORE

VERMILLION, S.D. – The Eastern Washington University soccer squad returns home after a victory in this morning's match over the South Dakota Coyotes (Sept. 15). Eastern battled hard to even the score after going down 1-0 with thirty minutes left in the match and the hard work paid off. After finding themselves a goal in the 84th minute from Brooke Dunbar and a goal in the 103rd minute by Brooke Flores, the match ends 2-1 in EWU's favor.

"We had to fight through a tough day against a fresh opponent after putting a lot of miles on our legs Friday night. It wasn't our best performance playing wise, but it was a gritty one and we found a way to win," said head coach Chad Bodnar. "I'm glad to see Brooke Dunbar and Brooke Flores put the ball in the back of the net as both were right on time."

The Eagles pulled the first shot in the 14th minute when Taylor Matheny found an opening but the ball sailed up high over the crossbar. Following the shot, USD's midfielder Taryn LaBree found momentum and shot the ball at the net in the 17th minute but it was blocked by an EWU defender. The ball bounced around in the box as another shot from LaBree was released and headed for the bottom right corner but it was saved by EWU junior goalkeeper Kelsee Winston.

Sophomore Megan Drake came off the bench for the Eagles finding herself an opportunity to shoot in the 20th minute but it was saved by USD's goalkeeper Emma Harkleroad. EWU forward Sariah Keister took a shot in the 33rd minute that was headed for the bottom right side but Harkleroad came up with another save.

Both teams found a few more opportunities to score including a shot from USD's midfielder Taylor Cotter in the 45th minute but her shot was saved by Winston who secured a 0-0 draw in the first half.

Eastern came out of the locker room with high energy as they found opportunities to score in the 49th and 50th minute but the first shot was saved and the second sailed wide right.

The Coyotes went ahead 1-0 in the 60th minute after a goal from LaBree for her first goal of the season. Junior Alexis Mitchell gave the assist after passing the ball to the center of the 18-yard box to find LaBree who placed the ball in the bottom left side.

After going down 1-0, the Eagles were not ready to throw in the towel as they shot eight more times before finding the equalizing goal in the 84th minute. As the ball bounced around inside the six yard box, forward Brooke Dunbar shot the ball into the bottom left corner and the score turned 1-1.

South Dakota attempted to get the lead back as they tested Winston twice in the 90th minute but both shots were saved by the EWU junior keeper and the score remained tied 1-1 at the end of the second half.

The first period of overtime consisted with both teams attempting one shot. Flores, who came off the bench in the first ninety minutes, started in the second overtime period for the Eagles and found the golden goal. Saige Lyons gave the assist to Flores who placed the ball in the lower left corner in the 103rd minute to seal the victory for the team.

Win Loss Records

The Eagles move to 3-4-1 as the South Dakota Coyotes fall to a record of 1-5 with a five-game losing streak. The all-time series now moves to 4-1-1 for EWU and 3-0-1 under Bodnar.

Key Stats

Eastern outshot South Dakota 18-12 with nine shots on target versus USD's seven. The Eagles and USD each took six corner kicks and Kelsee Winston recorded six saves on the day.

Top Performances

Brooke Dunbar and Brooke Flores each scored one goal in today's match, with Flores coming off the bench for the Eagles recording her second goal of the season. Flores now has two game-winners in her young career as she netted one in Eastern's match at CSU Bakersfield this season. Dunbar's goal was her first of the season and the third of her career.

Eastern recorded ten different players with shots during the match including Saige Lyons who came off the bench recording three shots, two of which were on target and one assist. Lyons now has two assists this season.

What's Next

The Eagles return home to host North Dakota State on Sept. 20 on the EWU Soccer Field at 4 p.m. Pacific time.

After competing against NDSU, EWU hosts their next three games starting with conference foe Northern Colorado on Sept. 27 at 3 p.m. PT.