CHENEY, Wash. – The Eastern Washington University women's soccer team hosted Portland State today (March 14) for round two in Big Sky Conference play and found another 3-1 victory at the EWU Soccer Field in Cheney, Wash. The Eagles improve to 2-0 in conference play and an overall winning record of 3-2 while the Vikings fall to 0-2 overall. Additionally, EWU extends its unbeaten streak to nine straight games against PSU and holds an 8-0-1 record since 2014.

An early goal from Grace Terrill and two goals from Maddie Morgan, with assists by Riley Walkington, Taylor Matheny and Colby Wilson, respectively, sealed the victory for the Eagles.

"Maddie Morgan has got it in her. You kind of have to edge her on but when she cuts in with her right foot she can be very dangerous, that is why we put her on the left side," said head coach Chad Bodnar. "She scored some timely goals for us today, especially after we conceived a goal and the score turned 2-1. Overall, she had a great game today."

Eastern carried the energy from the previous match against Portland State and found early success after scoring its first goal in the 23rd minute. A brilliantly placed corner kick from Walkington dropped near the penalty spot as freshman Terrill reached out and headed the ball in the bottom left corner.  

The Eagles attempted to gain a 2-0 lead before halftime, firing off six shots including a beamer from Brooke Flores in the 45^th minute, but it was caught by PSU goalkeeper Enya Hernandez and Eastern finished the first half with a one goal lead.
 
"Overall, we moved the ball around a lot better today. It was almost a repeat of Friday because we got the early lead with two goals and then let one sneak in and then came back and responded right away with a third goal. Defensively we were solid except for the one breakdown, but we had really good chances and kept the possession for most of the game," Bodnar stated. "We scored three goals again and whenever we do that we have a high chance of winning. I am proud of the team, they are getting better every day and that has been our goal."

EWU goalkeeper Kelsee Winston saw some action in the second half with back-to-back shots in the 64^th and 65^th minute but she was there to collect the saves. The Eagles found a second goal five minutes later from an initial EWU free kick near midline. From the set piece, Matheny booted the ball to Morgan who gathered it on her right foot at the top of the 18-yard box, took three dribbles and banged the ball in the upper seven. The magnificent strike into the back of the net sparked confidence into the young sophomore as she would collect a second goal later in the match, but not before Portland State snuck one in.

PSU responded two minutes later with a goal of its own from Ani Jensen in the 73^rd minute.

However, Morgan was still hot from her first goal as she would respond with a second in the 75^th minute when she lightly touched the ball past Hernandez, coming from a lob pass by Wilson.

With little time left on the clock, Eastern held onto possession and finished the match with another 3-1 victory at home over the Vikings.

WIN-LOSS RECORDS: EWU picks up its second Big Sky Conference victory of the season and improves to 3-2 overall and 2-0 in league play while Portland State falls to 0-2 overall.

TOP PERFORMANCES: Maddie Morgan scored two goals and Grace Terrill collected one goal. Riley Walkington, Colby Wilson and Taylor Matheny each gave out one assist.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE: Eastern Washington out-shot Portland State 15-7, landing nine on target versus PSU's four.

The Eagles forced the Vikings to make six saves versus EWU's three, and Eastern also had five corner kicks and did not concede a corner kick to PSU.

Additionally, the Eagles did not allow a single corner kick in the two matches played against Portland State.

"The defense has been great and has been locking it down. Colby Wilson and Jordyn King have been really solid. Janae Lee and Marissa Mills have also been playing well. Overall, we have been doing a better job of organizing and communicating," said Bodnar. "Kelsee Winston has been a star warrior for us. We lost Sariah Keister to an injury today, but Grace Terill and Kendall Pope have stepped up and put some minutes in for us. We are battling the injury bug right now so I am excited for when we have everyone healthy."

UP NEXT: Eastern heads to Sacramento, Calif., to face conference foe Sacramento State on March 19 at 3 p.m. PT and again on March 21 at 1 p.m. PT.

"They are a good team and we had to face them in the conference tournament last year and had to get past them in the semifinals," Bodnar stated. "It will be a battle since we both are returning almost the same teams. Head coach Randy Dedini does a good job at the helm, but the nice thing is we are 2-0 right now and look forward to our next match."