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EOU Women’s Soccer’s Historic Run Ends in Round of 16

EOU Women’s Soccer’s Historic Run Ends in Round of 16

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ORANGE BEACH, Ala. – The historic run that included the program’s first trip to the NAIA Championships final site ended on Tuesday for the Eastern Oregon women’s soccer team, falling 3-0 to No. 2 William Carey in the round of 16 at the NAIA Women’s Soccer Championships.
 
“The ladies played very well,” said head coach Jacob Plocher. “They battled and we had some great opportunities, it just didn’t go our way. William Carey is a strong team and we wanted to attack them and not just sit back. I don’t feel the final score truly reflects the way we performed.”
 
An incredible season featured 16 wins, the team’s highest-ever ranking at No. 19, a second-straight Cascade Collegiate Conference regular season title, the third trip to nationals in four years and the program’s first national tournament victory. All in all, it was a highly successful year for an up and coming program.
 
Taking on the No. 2-ranked Cavaliers of William Carey, the Mountaineers (16-3-2) knew they were in for a tough test. However, EOU came out in the first half with solid play, limiting the Cavaliers to few opportunities in the first 45 minutes. In a scoreless first half, WCU help a narrow 5-4 advantage in shots with EOU putting the only shot on goal, a strong shot by freshman Kaitlyn McLeod.
 
However, the Cavaliers jumped on their first opportunity of the second half, scoring on a great free kick in the 49th minute by Kelly Stubbington that was nearly saved by goal keeper Cydni Cottrell.
 
The goal gave William Carey the momentum going forward as they added another goal eight minutes later on a header into the top-left corner of the net by Shantel Thompson. EOU looked to pull within one goal on a few opportunities of their own, but another goal by the Cavaliers in the 68th minute put the game out of reach.
 
William Carey led the total shots 15-10, and shots on goal 9-4 for the match. Cottrell made six saves including some tough goal saving stops. Senior Natalie Mitchell had a team-high four shots, while McLeod posted three shots and two on goal.
 
Playing in their final games as Mountaineers, seniors Alexandria Cuaresma, Chelsey Nicol, Taylor Boyer, Charli Torres, Sarah Lynch, Val Gaffney and Mitchell have left an ever-lasting impression on the program. The team had its best two-year run in program history, with two conference titles and national tournament appearances, and has set the program up for continued success.
 
“I am extremely proud of our seniors,” said Plocher. “They have been able to be a part of the best two-year run in program history. We are also still very excited about our future as we return a good majority of our team.”
 
For more information on Eastern Oregon women’s soccer, follow @EOUAthletics or visit eousports.com.
 
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Contact: Iain Dexter; 541-962-3946; idexter@eou.edu
 
 

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