Weber State University Athletics
Weber State University
Omaha
Women's soccer rolls past Omaha for first win
8/30/2014 2:47:00 AM | Women's Soccer
OGDEN, Utah – The Wildcats didn't waste any time taking care of business.
Junior central defender Brecken Holbrook banked a short-ranged shot off the underside of the crossbar and into the goal in the fifth minute, kicking off a three-goal outburst for the Weber State University women's soccer team, which rolled to a 3-1 victory over Omaha on Friday afternoon at Wildcat Soccer Field.
“It was good to get a goal early in the game because it gave us momentum and got us fired up,” Holbrook said. “Though out the whole game we had a lot of chances on goal and everyone was really getting after it offensively. The whole team worked really hard and it was good to get our first win under our belt.”
Weber State (1-1-0) racked up a season-high 25 shots, placing 10 on frame as Omaha goalkeeper Katlyn Schochenmaie made seven saves. The visiting Mavericks (1-1-0) mustered just eight shots, placing four on frame, with their lone goal of the match coming on a 45th minute penalty kick.
The Wildcats, limited to just four subs due to a variety of injuries currently plaguing the team, put together what was unarguably their most complete 90 minute performance of the young season.
“We had some players step up today and play a lot of minutes,” Weber State coach Tim Crompton said. “It was a great team effort with some exceptional finishing on our part.
“We had some lapses as a group pertaining to Omaha's counterattack. We were better with it in the second half, however we still have plenty of work to do on that end.”
The Wildcats' early lead from Holbrook's goal, which came after junior forward Mackenzie Harrison's corner kick was played from senior midfielder Kendra Smith to Holbrook, stood up for 40 minutes until the Mavericks were awarded a trip to the penalty spot after a foul just inside the box.
Omaha's Hannah Wampler hit her attempt to the left post where it just skimmed the edge of Weber State goalkeeper Sydnie Stokes' glove before hitting off the post and into the goal with 39 seconds remaining in the half.
After the ensuing kickoff, junior midfielder Chansi Crompton, who made her season debut in the 21st minute, unleashed a high-arcing attempt from 35 yards out that sailed just under the crossbar and hit the back of the net with 13 seconds left in the half to put the Wildcats back in front for good.
The two teams traded a handful of shots early in the second half until junior forward Stacy Bair won the ball away from an Omaha defender following a goal kick and unleashed a wormburner from 30 yard out that snuck just inside the left post to make it 3-1 in the 59th minute.
Weber State had plenty of opportunities to extend their lead, including a pair of Mackenzie Peck attempts that hit the crossbar in the final 20 minutes.
The Wildcats will be back home again on Sunday against the University of Wyoming at Wildcat Soccer Field. Kickoff is set for Noon. The Cowgirls are 1-2-0 overall and are coming off a 3-2 overtime loss to Idaho State in Pocatello, Idaho, on Friday. Wyoming is 1-1-0 against Big Sky opponents this year, defeating Montana 1-0 in Laramie, Wyo., last weekend.
