CHENEY, Wash. — Fans at EWU Soccer Field watched an intense matchup on Friday afternoon as Eastern Washington women's soccer faced Northern Arizona. NAU defeated EWU, 1-0, with the only goal coming in the second half. Eastern's record is now 1-5-1 in the Big Sky and 2-13-1 overall.
"That was a tough game in a long line of tough ones this year. We've had a lot of one-goal differences across the board. The difference today is we asked for a full 90 minutes and the energy has been great in training. [The team] has stuck through this entire journey and how tough the season has been getting results. I am extremely proud of this team," head coach Missy Strasburg said. "The only thing we can ask is to step out and give 100% of the tank and execute the things we've been training. Ultimately, we did that today. It was our best game
of the year. The fact is, we were in position and did a great job. We were just inches away and the team's attitude and effort was at the highest possible level."
In the 31st minute, Maddie Morgan had a chance to break the tie with a penalty kick after she was fouled. The Lumberjacks Trinity Corcran made the save and the game remained scoreless.
Eastern and NAU went to halftime with no score.
The Eagles pushed the ball into the box trying to break the tie in the 55th minute. Morgan recorded three shots on goal and Elisabeth Cole would add on, but all four were saved by Corcran and NAU.
In the 77th minute, the 'Jacks found the back of the net as Avery Ott slipped a shot past Kiara Matson in the top-right corner.
Madison Kem tried for the quick response with a shot in the 78th minute, but it was off target.
Morgan had a chance for the equalizer in the 86th minute, putting a shot on goal but it was saved.
The 'Jacks maintained their lead and won the game 1-0.
Eagle Notes
- The Eagles finished with 17 total shots and 10 on goal. NAU had 22 total shots with 12 on goal.
- Kiara Matson set a career-high with 11 saves in the game. Her previous career-best was 10 against Oregon State in 2022.
- Maddie Morgan matched her career-high with seven shots on goal. She put 100% of her shots on goal in the game.
- The teams combined for 29 fouls, with each team getting a yellow card as well.
Up Next
Eastern Washington will close out its season on Sunday (Oct. 22) against Northern Colorado at 12 p.m. The game will be senior day for
Kiara Matson,
Corina Froehle,
Madison Kem and
Maddie Morgan.
New for the 2023-24 season, the EWU Women's Sports Pass gives fans access to over 30 Eagle Athletics events, including volleyball, soccer and women's basketball for only $5 per game! Learn more and get yours today at goeags.com/tickets or call 509-359-6056.
ABOUT EASTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
Eastern Washington University Athletics sponsors 14 intercollegiate sports, six for men and eight for women, both as learning opportunities for its most athletically talented students and as an enhancement to student and community life. Eastern is affiliated with Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and is a member of the Big Sky Conference, an association of 10 regional schools with comparable enrollments and academic goals.
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