CHENEY, Wash. – In its second-straight home match win, and second shutout on the season, the Eastern Washington University women's soccer team secures a 1-0 victory over the visiting St. Thomas Tommies today (Sept. 16) at the EWU Soccer Field. Freshman forward Gillian Martin scored the lone game-winning goal after calmly composing her shot in the upper right-hand corner.

"Home has been pretty good for us in terms of keeping the ball out of the net. The leadership and presence oft Kelsee Winston is very important to us, and she came up with a few monster saves late in the match after St. Thomas threw numbers forward. With Gillian Martin, she continues to rise and play at a high level of speed, she has so many great athletic tools and is tidy on the ball," said head coach Missy Strasburg. "For Brooke Flores to have such great presence of mind to not drive the ball at the near post but to pick out Martin and play her proper foot was brilliant. All we need is one or two quality moments and the right space on the field, and for us on the attacking side, it was a special moment. Winning does a lot and it puts a smile on their faces, but the players standards are so high for themselves, despite the shutout. I think this non-conference schedule has done that for them, and their confidence has been driven on playing well to their standard."

The first half was dominated by the Eagles, letting off five shots in the first 20 minutes and only taking on one from the Tommies. Senior Sariah Keister would be the main attacking threat as she accounted for three of the first five shots taken.

With St. Thomas attempting to respond, they would force EWU goalkeeper Kelsee Winston to come up with a lower bottom save 10 minutes prior to halftime. However, the ball was a slow roller and an easy picked up by the gloves of Winston.

A late first half chance from junior center back Jordyn King in the 43rd minute from an EWU corner kick propped everyone on their feet as the ball was headed towards the back post but UST goalkeeper Olivia Graupmann was there with the save.

St. Thomas opened up the second half with a shot on goal from Ellie Tempero within the first five minutes, but Winston easily scooped the ball up. Tempero would have one more crack on frame just four minutes later but EWU responded on the counter as they found a sprinting Brittany Delridge high up the field for a shot on goal, and came inches away from scoring off the opportunity.

As head coach Missy Strasburg made a late tactical substitution, bringing in sophomore Brooke Flores at the wide attacking spot, it would prove to be the deciding factor in the match. As Flores dribbled through several defenders to get towards the end line, she calmly found freshman Gillian Martin at the corner of the six, who only needed one touch to find the upper seven, which happened just two minutes following the substitution in the 63rd minute. The goal serves as Martin's first collegiate goal and the first game-winning goal of her early career.

With time winding down in the match, St. Thomas created one final chance with a daring shot from inside EWU's 18-yard box that was headed towards the bottom back-post, but Winston leaped down and stretched her arm to collect the save.

After the final 90 minutes, the hosts ended the game with equanimity, defeating the visiting Tommies to a 1-0 shutout.

Win-Loss Record

Eastern Washington improves to 2-5 on the year, while UST falls 2-4-1. This was the first contest between the two squads, putting EWU 1-0 in their series record. The Eagles are now 2-1 at home this season with two shutouts overall, both in the home stand.

Top Performers

Gillian Martin scored the winning goal for EWU in the 63rd minute while Brooke Flores picked up the lone assist. Sariah Keister and Brittany Delridge each took three shots during the match, with Delridge landing two of those on target.

EWU goalkeeper Kelsee Winston collected six saves during 90 minutes of play and secured her second shutout on the year. She continues to add to her all-time leading record of 19 shutouts in her career, the most in EWU history.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE: Eastern Washington took nine total shots with four landing on frame opposed to the UST's nine shots in which six landed on target.  

The Eagles forced the Tommies to make three saves versus EWU's six, and both squads each took two corner kicks.

What's Next

The Eagles conclude non-conference play this Sunday, Sept. 19, in Lubbock Texas as they travel to face Texas Tech at 11 a.m. Pacific time.

The match will be live streamed on ESPN+ and followed via LIVE STATS HERE.

For more information on how to watch on ESPN+ click HERE.

Big Sky Conference play begins Sept. 24 in Pocatello, Idaho as EWU takes on Idaho State for a 6 p.m. PT kick-off.