ETV News stock photo by Jeff Barrett
By Cory McKendrick, USU Eastern Sports Information Contributor
In triple digit heat, the USU Eastern women’s soccer team kept up their hot start to the 2019 season. Improving to 4-0 on the season, the Eagles ran through Arizona Western College (ranked #12 in the NJCAA pre-season poll) by a final count of 5-0. They squared off against Allan Hancock College (CA) and bested them 2-0. The matches were played on Aug. 29 and 31, respectively.
Goal keeper Meg Edwards picked up her fourth straight shutout in the net for the Eagles. The first-year keeper, partnered with the back line of defense, hasn’t let in a goal this season, with very limited shots on goal for opposing teams.
The team’s style of substitution in the preseason has been fairly frequent, especially with battling the extreme temperature conditions in Henderson. A total team effort would be the echoed words throughout the coaching staff in response to the start of the 2019 season. Everyone has found ways that they can contribute.
In the match versus #12 preseason ranked Arizona Western, the Lady Eagles started scoring early in the first half. Kinlee McMillan booted an almost three-quarter of the field length free kick into the back of the net to put the Eagles on the board. Evalyn Ledezma and Tasha Kamachi teamed up for the the Eagles next two goals with he first being scored by Ledezma, assisted by Kamachis and the next being scored by Kamachi, assisted by Ledezma. Entering halftime, the score read Eagles: 3, Matadors: 0
Coming out of the half, the team kept up the offense, adding two more goals to finish the game. Morgan Cragun netted the first, assisted by Brooke Stoker. Stoker added the final tally as she found the upper 90 of the goal from just outside the 18 in Matador territory.
The Eagles lined up against the Allan Hancock Bulldogs, looking to finish their weekend, and found themselves in a tight contest. The score was knotted at 0 for the entirety of the first half. Morgan Haag broke the tie with a goal that was finished up around the net from a bobble by the Bulldog keeper. Kinlee McMillan added a nice insurance goal for the Eagles in the 66th minute from the top of the midline circle, played over the defenders and just over the outstretched hands of the keeper.
Women’s soccer, coached by Ammon Bennett, will return to action in Henderson, Nev. on Sept. 6 at 7 p.m. (Pacific time) at Heritage Park Soccer Complex. The Eagles will begin conference play the following week on Sept. 12 as they travel to take on the Bruins of Salt Lake Community College. That match is scheduled for a 3 p.m. start time at Zion’s Bank Stadium in Herriman, UT.