Weber State University Athletics
Weber State University
Eastern Washington
Wildcats shut out Eagles in Big Sky opener
9/22/2012 1:59:00 AM | Women's Soccer
CHENEY, Wash. - The Weber State University women's soccer team put an end to some recent frustration and claimed its Big Sky Conference opener on Friday evening.
Freshman forward Mackenzie Harrison scored her team-leading third goal of the season in the 79th minute, lifting the Wildcats to a 1-0 victory against Eastern Washington at EWU's Sports and Recreation Field.
Weber State improved to 1-0-0 (3 points) in Big Sky action (3-7-0 overall) and captured its league opener for the second consecutive year.
"The girls played how they have been playing on the offensive side of the ball," Weber State coach Tim Crompton said. "We created plenty of quality chances in the opposing team's box. As a group we took it up a notch defensively and didn't give up any easy looks to Eastern Washington. It is always a difficult environment to play in up here.
"The only disappointing outcome in the game was the injury to Tiger (sophomore Mackenzie Day). We are hopeful it is not serious and she will return as soon as possible."
The Wildcats' win broke a three-year drought against the Eagles, giving Weber State its first win against Eastern Washington since a 2-1 win in overtime during the 2008 season.
WSU finished with 14 shots, placing a season-high 10 on frame, led by Harrison and freshman London Crown, who each had three shots. In all, eight Wildcats finished the match with a shot.
Junior goalkeeper Ryann Waldman earned the shutout in goal, making six saves, in picking up her second complete-match shutout of the season.
Weber State kept control of the tempo for most of the evening, and started opening things up offensively in the second half until Harrison punched in the match-winner.
The Kaysville, Utah native scored after cutting into the box and then slicing her shot into the back of the net.
Weber State remains on the Big Sky road this season as the Wildcats travel to Missoula, Mont., for a rematch of last season's Big Sky Conference championship match against the University of Montana. Kickoff for that is set for 1 p.m. at South Campus Stadium. The match will be shown live on Big Sky TV.
