CHENEY, Wash. – Eastern Washington suffered its first loss of the season, falling 2-0 to Wyoming on Sunday. The Eagles moved to 5-1 on the season, with
Maya Bossenbrook leading the attack with seven shots, while
Payton Hyde recorded nine saves in goal.
Wyoming applied pressure early, forcing Hyde to make four saves in the opening 13 minutes. Eastern began to settle in midway through the half, with
Mira Scarsella recording the Eagles' first shot on goal in the 17th minute before Bossenbrook had an attempt blocked.
The Cowgirls broke through in the 20th minute when Erin Dahl found the back of the net off an assist from Alyssa Glover. Eastern looked for a quick response, with
Ella Hyde putting a shot on frame in the 24th minute, but Wyoming goalkeeper Haley Bartel made the save.
Wyoming doubled its advantage in the 27th minute on a goal from Alisa Bunn.
Deanna Montero entered shortly after and immediately created an opportunity, firing an attempt wide in the 29th minute. Eastern continued to push but entered halftime trailing 2-0.
"Keeping possession of the ball, we've really made that a concentrated priority for the program in terms of dominating possession," head coach
Missy Strasburg said. "We found great outs and avenues and obviously created really good chances in the first half."
Eastern came out of halftime looking to cut into the deficit. Bossenbrook had an attempt blocked in the 51st minute before the Eagles earned a corner in the 56th. Bossenbrook and
Allison Bennett each followed with blocked shots as Eastern continued to generate pressure.
"We actually thought we kept the ball better in the second half," Strasburg said. "At the end of the day, we still were able to get ourselves forward, which is the purpose of the possession. I think today is just about unlocking the final piece."
Bossenbrook remained at the center of Eastern's attack, finishing with a team-high seven shots. Strasburg credited her positioning in the No. 10 role for creating more opportunities in front of goal.
"She's in a much cleaner position to receive, to be on the ball and to be in positions that are good shooting positions," Strasburg said. "She's done an amazing job. She had a great spring and she's really embraced the needs and requirements of playing in that 10 position."
Hyde kept Wyoming off the board throughout the second half, including saves in the 70th and 89th minutes. Bossenbrook put another shot on frame in the 83rd minute, but Bartel made the save as Eastern was held scoreless for the first time this season.
Eastern also honored its senior class prior to Sunday's match.
"Character-wise, they are such an amazing fit, and they add so much to us," Strasburg said. "Clearly we're seeing some great additions on the field from those players."
Up Next
Eastern Washington remains at home to host Grand Canyon on Sunday, Sept. 13, at the EWU Soccer Field.
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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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