Weber State University Athletics
Weber State University
Eastern Washington
Wildcat soccer tops Eagles 3-0 in Big Sky play
9/28/2013 10:14:00 PM | Women's Soccer
OGDEN, Utah – The Wildcats are finding their groove.
The Weber State University women's soccer team wrapped up a strong opening weekend to the Big Sky Conference season by dismantling Eastern Washington 3-0 on Saturday afternoon at Wildcat Soccer Field.
“Getting two wins right off the bat is a great way to start conference,” said Weber State sophomore central defender Brecken Holbrook, who helped guide a defense that allowed just nine shots on goal in two shutout victories. “Not only are we looking good and playing great as a team, but it also shows the type of team we are going to be throughout the season.”
Weber State improved to 2-0-0 in Big Sky play, 6-2-2 overall, and currently sits alone at the top of the conference table.
“The girls played out of pressure well today,” Weber State coach Tim Crompton said. “Eastern Washington was very organized defensively, yet we were able to find space at opportune moments. We had some nice build-up on the goals we scored.”
Utilizing its trademark possession attack, Weber State kept Eastern Washington chasing the ball for large stretches of the first half while generating nine shots, including four on goal, in the opening 45 minutes.
The Wildcats opened up their scoring account in the 36th minute when junior midfielder Ryley Hansen headed home a cross from the deep left corner by senior defender Bailey Eames. It was Hansen's first goal of the season and the second of her career.
With the lead, Weber State was able to open up its attack more aggressively as Eastern Washington had to start pressing for the equalizer. The Wildcats had 15 of their 21 shots in the match after taking the first-half advantage.
Weber State went up 2-0 in the 59th minute when sophomore defender Shaylee Petersen played the ball to sophomore forward Mackenzie Harrison at the top of the box, and Harrison battled through a pair of Eagles' defenders before unleashing a shot that skipped off the field and over EWU goalkeeper Clara Elsholz, who was diving to try and make a save. It was Harrison's fifth goal of the season and marked the second straight match that she has found the back of the net.
Weber State wrapped up play in the 81st minute when junior midfielder Mackenzie Day scored her third goal of the year, hitting a high-arcing header over the top of Elsholz and into the near-post upper 90 after a cross from the right corner by sophomore central midfielder Chansi Crompton. It was Crompton's fourth assist of the year and 10th of her career, tying her for eighth on the Wildcats' career record charts along with Celeste Collins (1997-2000) and Melanie Miller (1996-1999).
“We still have a lot to work on,” Crompton said. “We will take the rest of the weekend off and then start preparing for next weekend on Monday.”
Weber State will face its first Big Sky road match on Friday against in-state rival Southern Utah in Cedar City, Utah, and then travels to face Northern Arizona at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 6, in Flagstaff, Ariz.
