Ottawa Gets the Better of Geoducks
Ottawa (Ariz.) scored a goal on either side of the half Monday afternoon to win 2-0 and spoil the 2018 season opener for Evergreen women's soccer at Geoduck Pitch.
The visiting Spirit (1-1) got a pair of goals from Sydney Busby and a shutout from goalkeeper Emily Kriplean in handing the host Geoducks the defeat.
Freshman
Daphne Hobbs, a high school defender who has been pressed into service as Evergreen's goalkeeper, was stellar with 13 saves, but Ottawa's Busby beat her and the defense twice to account for the scoring.
The first goal came in the sixth minute when Busby ran onto a pass that split the Evergreen defense, dribbling some 25 yards before slotting the ball into the goal. Busby's second tally of the game and her third of the young season came in the 58th minute when she converted from the right angle following a pass by Maddie Myers.
While Ottawa enjoyed a 26-9 advantage in shots, including 15-3 in shots on goal, the Geoducks were not without their chances.
Sophomore forward
Madison Early, who led the team with four shots, hit the crossbar with about 12 minutes remaining in the opening half and the score still close at 1-0 in Ottawa's favor. With about two minutes remaining, junior forward
Delaney Rice smashed a low left-footed shot that Kriplean pushed around the post.
Evergreen returns to action at 1 p.m. next Sunday, Aug. 26, when the University of Puget Sound comes to Geoduck Pitch for a non-conference match.