No. 16 Mountaineer Women's Soccer Bows Out of National Tournament
EOU Sports Information
FOLEY, Ala. – No. 16 Eastern Oregon University Women's Soccer saw its season draw to a close on Tuesday afternoon as the Mountaineers fell in the first round of the NAIA National Championships to No. 7 Spring Arbor University, 3-2, inside the Foley Sports Tourism Complex. With the loss, EOU bows out of the National Tournament with a final record of 8-2-3.
How it Happened
• Both teams finished with eight shots overall in the 90 minutes of action, while the Cougars (14-2-1) had a 4-2 shots on goal advantage. For Spring Arbor, all three of their goals came in the first half, while EOU had one in each frame.
• Despite trailing 3-1 late in the first period and through the majority of the second, the Mountaineers battled all 90 minutes and forced pressure the whole match. The difference maker in the win for the Cougars was netting all three goals in the first 45 minutes as they were held scoreless in the second.
• It was the efforts of the Marshall sisters for Spring Arbor that helped the Cougars secure the win as both accounted for the three goals. Madison Marshall had the first two goals, while sibling Lauren Marshall scored the third goal.
• The Cougars grabbed the game's first lead in the 19th minute to go ahead 1-0. The score remained at 1-0 in Spring Arbor's favor until the Mountaineers nailed the equalizer in the 31st minute to make a 1-1 tie.
• Cailin Koupal scored the Mountaineers lone goal of the first half as the senior played a long pass from Kana Mateaki to get into the penalty area. Koupal then made a move to the right to get into the penalty area and beat the goalkeeper to score on the empty and tie the game at 1-1.
• Despite tying the game in the 31st minute, the Mountaineers then surrendered back-to-back goals within three minutes of each other. The Cougars retook the lead in the 35th minute as Madison Marshall netted her second goal of the half.
• The third goal of the first period for the Cougars came in the 38th minute. Ariana Stoltzfus found Lauren Marshall in transition as she was able to slip through the EOU defense and find the back of the net to make it a 3-1 lead for Spring Arbor.
• Going into the halftime break, the Cougars were able to outshoot the Mountaineers 6-2 overall and had a 4-1 shots on goal advantage. Only one corner kick came in the first 45 minutes of play, with the Cougars taking it. The game was physical as well as there were nine fouls in the first period. Spring Arbor had five to EOU's four.
• The second period saw the Mountaineers pick up the pace on offense and apply more pressure on defense. Offensively the Mountaineers were able to take six shots in the second frame but had just one come on goal. Defensively, EOU limited the Cougars to just two shots.
• The pressure on offense helped the Mountaineers create opportunities to score but it was not until late in the game when they were able to find the back of the net. A foul by Spring Arbor in the 89th minute inside the penalty area set up the penalty kick for Kayla Storm.
• Storm gathered herself and nailed the shot into the bottom right corner of the net just past the goalkeeper's reach to bring the score to its final of 3-2.
Mountaineers Stat Leaders
• Cailin Koupal scored a goal and had two shots for the contest with one shot on goal.
• Kayla Storm had one shot for the game in the PK attempt and scored the other goal for EOU.
• Kana Mateaki was credited with the assist on Koupal's goal.
• In net, Savannah Hutchinson tallied the lone save of the game.
For the Cougars
• Madison Marshall had a pair of goals, including the gamewinner, and finished with three shots (2 SOG).
• Lauren Marshall scored a goal and finished with three shots, with two coming on goal.
• Ariana Stoltzfus was credited the assist on the third Spring Arbor goal.
• Goalkeeper Samantha Tracey played all 90 minutes in the win.
By the Numbers
1 – Tuesday's matchup was the first ever one between EOU and Spring Arbor.
9 – Cailin Koupal's goal on Tuesday was the ninth of her career.
2 – The Mountaineers two shots on goal is the lowest in a single game this season.
3 – EOU was a perfect 3-3 on PK shot attempts this season.
2 – EOU graduates just two seniors from this year in Cailin Koupal and Korilynn Goller.
Quotable
Head Coach Jacob Plocher
Thoughts on the season with all that happened: I am incredibly proud of all the ladies with everything that they went through this year! To face so much adversity and still being able to perform like we did was a challenge like none other I have encountered. It was not always easy at times for our players, but they battled through it all and still made the most of every opportunity they had this season.
On how the team adjusted in the second period: I was proud of the way this team battled. They played together and created chances. We never quit even after getting down by two and played until the final whistle blew. Obviously, not the outcome we were hoping for but again I was proud of our effort and not showing any quit. And I truly believe we showed we are a team that belongs in the talks with the top teams.
Final message to the seniors for their contributions: They are the most successful class to come through EOU in the history of the program, which is nothing short of amazing. I am proud of them for showing the younger players what it takes to be successful and laying the foundation for what we want to continue building. They will be missed, and we can't wait to see them excel in the next chapter of their lives! They will always have a special place in my heart! Once a Mountie, Always a Mountie.
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