SOU Defeats William Jessup, 2-0
ASHLAND, Ore. – The Southern Oregon women’s soccer team improved to 6-4-1 on the season after winning its Tuesday afternoon match against William Jessup. The Raiders topped the Warriors (3-6) by a 2-0 score, banking off of goals by Nicole Vilarino (Medford, Ore.) and Justina MacDowell (Bellevue, Wash.).
The Raiders put immediate pressure on the Warriors in the first half, firing 13 shots to WJU’s single shot in the first 45 minutes. However, it wasn’t until the 37-minute that the Raiders were able to capitalize on their shots. Vilarino was able to steal the ball away from a William Jessup defender just outside of the goal box, then took the ball to the goal and sent her shot to the back of the net for the Raiders' first goal. Making it count, Vilarino’s goal was her lone shot of the day.
Nearly halfway through the second half, MacDowell was able to pressure WJU goalie Amber Farley after freshman Auika Muragin (Koloa, Hawaii) fed MacDowell an excellent ball in front of the goal. MacDowell shot, and after a few bounces and deflections, the ball bounced in the goal for the Raiders' second score of the day. MacDowell's goal gives her a team-leading four on the season.
Muragin led the Raiders on the day in shots, tallying seven while firing four on goal and recording her one assist. MacDowell finished right behind with five shots, all of which were on goal. Freshman Kayla Wilhelm (Grants Pass, Ore.) also had a fine day of shooting, notching four shots, two of which were on goal.
Racking up even more shots in the second half, the Raiders tallied 15 additional shots in the last 45 minutes to bring the Raiders total to 28 on the day. Facing only two WJU shots on the day, goalkeeper Melanie Hopkins (Salt Lake City, Utah) recorded two saves in her 90 minutes in goal.
The Warriors were led by Danielle Stanton and Rachel Constantini, both of whom tallied one shot on goal. Farley allowed two goals, but managed 12 saves in her 90 minutes of play, while William Jessup was credited with two team saves as well.
The Raiders continue their season on the road this coming Friday and Saturday when they face Evergreen State and Northwest University. The Raiders will first travel to Olympia to face Evergreen at 3 p.m. Friday. On Saturday, they will travel to Kirkland, Wash., to take on Northwest in a 7 p.m. game at Lake Washington High School.