What else could be expected when the teams that many thought would battle it out for the Big Sky Conference soccer championship met for the only time this season?
How about play overtime and have your go-to player deliver big?
That was the case last Sunday, Sept. 25, when Eastern Washington and the University of Idaho met on the EWU soccer field and the Eagles came away with a 2-1 overtime win with Chloe Williams scoring the deciding goal.
Coupled with a 3-0 victory Friday over Idaho State, Eastern is off to a 2-0-0 start in conference play and has an overall record of 8-1-1 and is unbeaten in six contests (5-0-1). Idaho falls to 1-1-0 and 4-4-2.
Williams’ goal came on a penalty kick in the 100th minute and with just 34 seconds remaining in the first overtime. She tied the EWU all-time goals record at 24 sharing the honor with Cassie Black (2011-14). This is the third school record Williams has tied or broken this season after she became the all-time points leader against South Dakota.
“Penalty kicks aren’t Chloe’s favorite thing to do, but when you’re that player, that goal scorer, and the game is on the line we want her there,” head coach Chad Bodnar said.
While unsure in the pressure situation, Williams said, “It felt good to get that PK (penalty kick), especially since they tied the game on a PK towards the end of regulation.”
Delaney Romero scored the first goal of the contest inside the 18-yard box on an assist from Laci Rennaker in the 38th minute. Idaho’s Elexis Schlossarek tied the match 1-1 in the 86th minute, also on a penalty kick, ending the Eagles’ 259-minute scoreless streak.
In Friday’s game, goals by Williams just 49 seconds in, and another at the three minute mark by Jenny Chavez set the tone. Saige Lyons finished the scoring in the 83rd minute. Taylor had four saves in the EWU net.
Eastern is on the road for games at Portland State, Sept. 30 and Sacramento State, Oct. 2.
Paul Delaney can be reached at [email protected].
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