CHENEY, Wash. — A penalty kick would be the deciding factor in Eastern's 1-0 win over UNLV. EWU advances to 5-3-1, as the Rebels fall to 2-4-1. Delani Walker scored her third goal of the season, and Kamryn Willoughby would record her third shutout of the season. 

The Eagles record their first win over the Rebels, and are now 1-2 all-time against UNLV. Coming off of their 4-2 road loss to San Diego State, EWU responded well and is now 3-0 after a loss this season. Eastern is now 5-3-1, and matched their season high in wins under head coach Missy Strasburg. 

"As a staff our messaging has always been Win The Day. We turned the page regardless, and I think we certainly did that. The thing I love the most about this team is we made an effort and a goal for us this year to not lose two games in a row," Strasburg said. "At first we thought it would feel negatively skewed, but when you think about it, it is a response and a reaction of resilience. So far, they have accomplished that in multiple and different times for ourselves this year. I am really proud of them for setting a bar like that and can respond to it on a weekly basis if that is required."

Match Summary: 

It would be Delani Walker who would strike first for the Eagles. Walker would force a foul and earn a penalty kick for the third of the season for Eastern. In the 16th minute, Walker would record her third goal of the season, and her third in the last four matches to take the early 1-0 lead. The Eagles are now three-for-three in penalty kicks this season. 

"The ladies do a great job of taking those reps before and after a training session. I think that is one of the big things in the culture shift experience in the last couple of years. Players are willing to come out and get some extra reps, or do some specific work that is related to their own game," Strasburg said. "Delani, Kendall, and Charity, those guys take those reps, and embrace responsibility when it presents itself. For us we do not designate that person, we let them sort it out in the person that feels confident and really wants it and steps up. We trust them, and I give them a lot of credit that they are the ones who put the work in to get ready for that." 

The UNLV offense was stagnant, as the Rebels would not record a shot until the 29th minute. The Rebels would pick up the pace in the last 15 minutes of the half, as they would tie the Eagles in shots with five a piece. 

The Eagles led at the half for the fifth time this season. Pattison and Walker each recorded two shots, with Walker capitalizing on the penalty kick for the lone goal. The Eags have yet to trail at the half in all nine matches this season.

In the second half the intensity picked up, as the Rebels tried to claw their way back and tie the match. In the last nine minutes. four yellow cards were called with two called on each side. The Eagles would however secure the 1-0 victory and extend their home-winning streak to three.

"That game, we knew they wanted to put balls into the box, and defensively we wanted to try and make them pump balls from the furthest spot possible.  It makes it easier to win it. At the same time, it allows a crowd to develop. That is always going to be a challenging ball defensively," Strasburg said. "UNLV is very opportunistic, and is well-versed while scoring off the back stick. We saw that when we played them last year and in their film. Really proud of our back line players, and players in the midfield and forward line that help in the box, and keep that space secured today, and really earn that shutout."
 

Inside the box score:

• Forward Chloe Pattison had her five-match goal streak snapped, but two shots in the match. Pattison has recorded two or more shots in six straight matches, and in seven of the nine matches this season.

• Midfielder/Forward Delani Walker recorded her third goal of the season, and is the only player on the Eagles with three goals and three assists this season.

• Defender Iris Mattern has started in all eight matches, and played 90 minutes for the second straight match this season (second on the team with 735 minutes played)

• Defender Becca Gaido played a full 90 minute match for the sixth straight match, and leads the team in minutes played (789).

• Defender Riley Arribas recorded two shots for the third time this season, and played a full 90 minutes for the first time this season.

• Freshman Dakota Harris recorded a shot for the third straight match, and has recorded six shots this season.

• Midfielder Elisabeth Cole played a full 90 minutes for the second straight time this season, and started in her fourth straight match, fifth of the season.

• Goalkeeper Kamryn Willoughby recorded her third shutout of the season, and her seventh in her career. Willoughby recorded four saves, and recorded four or more saves in four matches this season.

• The Eagles are 3-0-0 when they record more shots than their opponent, and have yet to trail at half this season.
   

The Eagles will close out non-conference play and host Boise State Sunday, September 22nd at 1 pm at EWU soccer field. The match will be streaming on ESPN+.

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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