Gonzaga University
Saint Mary's
D'Agostino, Rhodes Cap Zags Comeback To Preserve Perfect Weekend
10/25/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Oct. 25, 2009
SPOKANE, Wash. - Sarah Rhodes' goal in the 79th minute proved to be the match-winner as Gonzaga University posted a 2-1 come-from-behind West Coast Conference victory over Saint Mary's College at the Gonzaga Soccer Field Sunday.
Second half scores by Christi D'Agostino and Rhodes gave the Zags (8-9-0, 2-3 WCC) their fourth straight home victory and also improved their overall home mark to 6-1 on the season. The Gaels dropped to 9-9-0 overall and 1-4 in the WCC.
"It was great to cap off the weekend with another win at home," stated head coach Amy Edwards after beating the University of San Francisco 3-1 on Friday prior to posting the win over the Gaels. "Today's second half was the best we played all weekend. We knew we had to create a lot of chances in the second half after allowing the early goal and we eventually broke through to come away with the win."
Gonzaga held an 8-3 shot advantage in the first half but the Gaels were the ones to make the most of their opportunity as a failed Bulldog clearing resulted in SMC taking a 1-0 lead at the 36:29 mark. Daelyn Paul gathered in a Zags errant pass at the top of the GU 18 yard mark and sent a pass into the left side of the keeper box which Christina Tognetti was able to redirect into the right corner for the goal.
The second half saw the Zags dial up the offensive pressure as Emma Dolcetti nearly evened the match in the opening seconds of the second half. Elle Sweeney's free kick from midfield landed in the box that Dolcetti attempted to head in for the score but had it sail high.
The Bulldogs went on to hold possession throughout most of the second period eventually leading to D'Agostino's score. D'Agostino had just fired a shot that SMC keeper Tara Larson was able to tip over the net, resulting in a GU corner kick. Catherine Cullen's ensuring corner landed in right side of the box that D'Agostino headed off the cross bar and into the left side to even the match at 1-1 at the 67:41 mark.
Gonzaga capped the comeback 12 minutes later as Sheridan Jones took a ball up the left sideline and gave way to Rhodes who gained possession with her back to a Gael defender. Rhodes was able to spin up field and push the ball through the SMC defender's legs and again gain possession before she rocketed a shot into the left upper "V" from 25 yards out for the eventual match-winner. Rhodes' third match-winner of the season also pulled her into a tie with Jessie Sorenson for the team-lead in goals with four.
"Rhodes struck that ball perfect. She hit it perfect and put it in the perfect spot for a great goal," commented Edwards. "We were able to get the ball up the field and put together a good number of quality attacks in the second half. We have been down at halftime before and today everybody came out in the second half with the will to win."
Bulldogs keeper Amy Danielson held off a couple Saint Mary's threats late including a great look by SMC's Alex Ciliento from 15 yards out that Danielson was able to save in the final seconds to preserve the 2-1 win.
Gonzaga finished with a 16-6 shot advantage while Larson made six saves for the Gaels and Danielson recorded the one save to earn the win.
"We love playing at pur home field and in front of our home crowd," said Edwards. "We used a very efficient second half to come away with an important conference win."
The Bulldogs will head to southern California next weekend, facing WCC foe University of San Diego 7 p.m. Friday and UC Irvine of the Big West Conference 1 p.m. Sunday. The Zags will close out the regular season at home against Santa Clara University Nov. 7.
