Gonzaga University
San Francisco
Bulldogs Depth Leads To WCC Win Over USF
10/23/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Oct. 23, 2009
SPOKANE, Wash. - Playing in its first home match in over a month the Gonzaga University women's soccer team used two second half goals to post a 3-1 West Coast Conference victory over the University of San Francisco at a rain soaked Gonzaga Soccer Field Friday afternoon.
The Bulldogs improved to 7-9 overall and 1-3 in WCC play after receiving goals by Emily Hutchins, Catherine Cullen and Jessie Sorenson to snap their six-match losing streak and also giving head coach Amy Edwards her first career WCC win. Emma Dolcetti came off the bench to record two assists while the defense led by starting keeper Amy Danielson and center backs Elle Sweeney and Morgan Manchester, turned away numerous USF (6-4-5, 1-3 WCC) offensive threats throughout the cold and rainy day to post their seventh win of the season, matching last year's win total.
"Amy had a very solid day while playing in the wet conditions which can be very tough on a keeper," commented Edwards. "Anna Lund and Emma also had outstanding games on each side of the ball for us today. Both players seemed to be in the big plays all afternoon. I was very pleased with how our depth played a huge role in earning the win today."
Gonzaga put together a couple of early pressures as Christi D'Agostino's header off of Sweeney's free kick from just inside midfield was punched away by Dons keeper Kelly Phole. Less than a minute later the Zags came right back as Sweeney made a pass into the USF zone that Dolcetti gathered in and headed over two defenders to Hutchins who kicked one into the right corner for her second goal of the season.
Late in the half the Bulldogs held off a couple Don pressures take the 1-0 lead into the break. Just over five minutes into the second period the Bulldogs were able to push their lead to 2-0 as Manchester launched a throw from the far right sideline that landed in the USF box. Cullen won position in the box and headed a shot towards the goal that rolled along the goal line towards the left post and eventually rolling across for the score despite the efforts of a San Francisco defender who tried kick away the shot. Manchester's second career assist off of a throw in led to the first career score for Cullen.
The Dons answered back with Lauren Maris' goal at the 54:25 mark but the Bulldogs held strong and eventually put the game away on Sorenson's team-leading fourth goal of the season. In the 74th minute, a long pass by Sheridan Jones found a streaking Lund who touched passed the ball from right side of the 18 yard mark to Dolcetti in the box who was met by the USF keeper but was able to send a cross over to Sorenson on the left side who kicked in the Zags third goal of the afternoon.
Danielson and Bulldogs defense made the 3-1 lead stand, denying a couple last minute runs by the Dons to post the win and improve the Zags home record to 5-1. Danielson matched her career high in saves for the second straight match with five stops while Phole made four saves.
"It felt great to finally get to play at home and have a number of players contribute in a conference win," commented Edwards whose club played their last seven matches all on the road. "I was very proud of how every player competed for the full 90 minutes today. We had a number of players contribute while playing huge roles for us in the win."
The Bulldogs continue WCC play 1 p.m. Sunday, hosting Saint Mary's College.
