Sports Briefs

EWU wins sixth straight in soccer

Sophomore Chloe Williams scored what would be the game-winner with just three minutes left Sunday afternoon, Sept. 27, lifting the Eastern Washington University soccer team past Idaho State, 3-2, in Pocatello.

The victory, EWU’s sixth straight, completed a perfect 2-0 start to Big Sky Conference play for just the second time in school history and the first time since the 2009 season.

Eastern improves to 8-1-1 overall and 2-0 in league play while Idaho State falls to 1-9-1 overall and 0-2 in conference matches with the defeat. The Eagles welcome Sacramento State to Cheney for their Big Sky home opener this Friday, Oct. 2. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m.

The Eagles twice held a one-goal advantage on the day, the first coming after freshman Allison Raniere’s goal in the ninth minute followed by a strike from freshman Jenny Chavez in the 57th minute.

“It was a great weekend for us, and for our athletic department as a whole,” head coach Chad Bodnar said. “Winning two on the road to start conference play is something we’re very proud of.”

Eastern picked up its fifth consecutive victory Sept. 25, earning a 2-1 road win over Weber State in its Big Sky Conference opener.

Freshman Allison Raniere put Eastern on the board in the 11th minute. The game-winner would come in the 58th minute as freshman Jenny Chavez  fired a shot into the lower left corner.

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Eastern volleyball sweeps home matches

Fresh off two home sweeps to start Big Sky Conference play, the Eastern Washington University volleyball team continues league play with a road match at Southern Utah followed by a tilt with rival Idaho at Reese Court.

EWU will square off with Southern Utah in Cedar City, Utah, tonight, Oct. 1, before hosting the Vandals on Saturday, Oct. 3 at 6 p.m..

Eastern (7-6, 2-0 BSC) was one of just three conference teams to record two victories on the opening weekend of league play. The Eagles recorded emphatic sweeps of North Dakota and Northern Colorado, respectively, flashing signs that this group may be peaking at the right time.

Freshman Jessica Gilbert had an impressive run of play last week, averaging 3.67 kills per set while hitting .429 for the two matches. She set a new season high with 13 kills against UND on Thursday, Sept. 24, before recording a season-best 10 digs versus the Bears on Saturday, Sept. 26.

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EWU to induct new Hall of Fame Class

With all the injuries the Eastern Washington University football team has endured already this season, it’s fitting that Dean Adams will be inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame on the day of its next game.

The former Eastern football/track and field standout and longtime University of Oregon athletic trainer will be among the seven individuals and one team honored when the 15th induction of the Eastern Athletics Hall of Fame takes place Oct. 10.

The induction breakfast and ceremony will start at 8:30 a.m. at the Pence Union Building. The public is invited to attend and the cost is $20 per person. Guests must register via a link available at http://www.goeags.com/hallfame/hallfame. Inductees will also be honored at halftime of EWU’s football game against Cal Poly later that day (kickoff is at 1:05 p.m.), as well as Eastern’s volleyball game that evening against Portland State at 6 p.m.

Basketball scoring and rebounding machines Randy Buss (1969-72) and Kathleen Nygaard-Kaut (2000-04) will be honored, as well as a trio of athletes from the 1960’s. They include Adams, baseball player/contributor Gary Glasgow and gymnast/contributor Randy Carruthers.

Ruth Van Kuren and her late husband Lawson Van Kuren will be recognized for their 40 years of involvement with EWU.

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