EUGENE, Ore. – Showing a marked improvement over their last outing, the Northwest Christian University women’s soccer team fell in overtime on Tuesday night, losing to George Fox University, 2-1 in their home opener at the Les Schwab Sports Center.
NCU was out-shot 29-3 in the game but struck first as senior Sierra Graton carved her way through the defense before slotting a goal into the right side of the net just ten minutes into the contest. It was the first career goal for the four-year defender whose only other career points came from four assists during her freshman season.
The goal, however, seemed to awaken the Bruins who put up 16 shot attempts over the first 45 minutes. The visitors scored their first goal in the 16th minute when Chloe Shumaker took a pass from Pilialoha Ahina and found the back of the net.
Sophomore keeper Makenna Hadaller had a remarkable game on Tuesday and she was put to the test, facing 18 shots-on-goal. Her 16 total saves tied an NCU school-record which had stood for seven years. The final two saves came as the contest ended, beginning with an outstanding effort to block a penalty kick in the 96th minute.
Hadaller’s save led to a loose ball as multiple George Fox attackers swarmed the box. Another shot attempt from Megan Harrington was also stopped by the net-minder, but her follow-up effort went home into the opposite side of the net past Hadaller’s outstretched arms.
The Beacons will be back in action this weekend, heading to California for a pair of non-conference games. They will take on California State University-Maritime on August 30 and Academy of Art on August 31.