Box Score KENNESAW, GA. — In a back and forth physical match with 19 combined fouls, Eastern earned their first victory of the season in a 3-2 win over Kennesaw State.

With the win, it snaps a seven game winless streak for the Eagles dating back to last season's 2-1 victory over Weber State on September 24th, 2023.

"Winning is always the goal for this group, but there's more layers rolled into today to be extremely proud of….winning on the road, on a Sunday, coming from behind, in the nation's most challenging climate," head coach Missy Strasburg said. "2024 is a new year for us, and today was definitely approached with a must-win mindset. We are exceptionally proud of the committed response of these women to earn a much deserved result. Hurdles were crossed and demons were squashed today."

An early goal in the 4th minute from the Owls set the tone early. This did not startle the Eagles however, as Charity Freeman in her first start of the season drew a foul in the box for the penalty kick. An 11th minute right foot penalty kick goal from Freeman would help the Eagles settle into the match. 

After the half, the Eagles attacked quickly. In the 50th minute a beautiful left footer from Riley Arribas would give the Eagles the 2-1 lead. Arribas would be involved in yet another goal, this time with an assist to Gillian Martin in the 57th minute to extend their lead to two. 

Kennesaw State would not go away however, as the Owls immediately responded with a 58th minute goal to cut the deficit to one. 

In the 82nd minute a big save from goalkeeper Kamryn Willoughby, would keep the 3-2 lead. Shortly after, a weather delay would be called and cause a 30 minute delay before ultimately being called off due to weather in the 82nd minute to give the Eagles the victory. 

10 different Eagles recorded a shot in the match with three different goal scorers. In the first two games, the Eagles have had all four goals scored by four different players. 

"Since taking over here at EWU, we have intentionally designed our attack stylistically to be about load-sharing. We are built to get goal-scoring contributions from various positions and personalities. Even more so now that we have our outside backs joining into the attack, as seen by the great goal from Riley Arribas today," Strasburg said. "While everyone up front is competitive and wants to take their own shots and score for the good of the team, they are deeply unselfish women and this definitely enhances the balance of our attack."

Defender Riley Arribas recorded one goal and one assist in 68 minutes played. Starting Forwards Kendall Moore and Chloe Pattison were active on the offensive end recording three shots a piece. Midfielder Delani Walker recorded two shots of her own, with one shot on goal. Off the bench, Forward Gillian Martin recorded her first goal of the season in 25 minutes played, and midfielder Ryanne Ampi recorded two shots with one on goal in 38 minutes played.

The Eagles have displayed an aggressiveness on the offensive end recording 32 total shots (16 in each match) in the first two matches of the season. 

The Eagles are 1-1 to open up the season, and will come home to Cheney for a couple of days to rest before finishing off their four game road series with games on Sunday, August 25th against South Dakota, and Thursday, August 29th against Southern Utah. 

After their four game road trip to open the season, Eastern will back home September 5th at EWU soccer field to host UC Davis at 4 pm.
 

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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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