GEORGE FOX 2, EVERGREEN STATE 1: Bruins’ First Goals Lead to Win over Geoducks

NEWBERG, Ore. - It took four games for George Fox University to record its first women's soccer goal of the season, but it was the second goal of the game and the season that allowed the Bruins to put away pesky the Evergreen State College Geoducks 2-1 in a non-conference match Friday night here at the Austin Sports Complex.

The Bruins controlled the ball for much of the game and out-shot the Geoducks 21-6 overall and 8-3 in shots on goal. Still,  despite multiple quality shot opportunities, George Fox could not convert its shots into points until Molly Norton headed one in off a corner kick by Nicole Akiu at the 21:00 mark. 

After a lopsided first half where the Bruins held a 9-3 shot advantage over the Geoducks, Evergreen's Katie Mendoza responded with a goal in the 66th minute off a Brianna Speed cross from left to right to tie the game 1-1.

George Fox wasted no time issuing a response of its own. Two minutes later, Cassady Gardner took a long kick from Melissa Leighty and drilled a cross from the end-line to a streaking Kirsten Cardwell, who slid from five yards out to tap the ball into the back of the net and give the Bruins a 2-1 lead.

By the end of the second half, the Bruins chalked up another 12 shots and gave Evergreen goalie Sonia Daisley-Harrison, who had six saves, plenty to do. Becka Doyle recorded two saves in goal for the Bruins and improved her record to 1-0.

NEXT: George Fox (1-1-2) hosts Pacific University (Ore.) Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. in the Northwest Conference opener for both squads ...  Evergreen State (0-2-1) hosts North Idaho College Sunday at 11:00 a.m.