DYLAN FOREMAN
Sports Writer
foremadf@plu.edu
After losing to crosstown-rivals University of Puget Sound, the Lutes women’s soccer team bounced back to defeat George Fox University 3-0 on Sunday in striking fashion.
With this win, the Lutes hold a first place tie in the Northwest Conference with the UPS, making their last four games these next two weekends important in determining how the team will place in the conference.
The top team in the conference receives an automatic bid to the postseason. However, because both Puget Sound Loggers and the Lutes are ranked in the top 25 of the entire nation, we could see the second place team receiving an at-large bid into the postseason.
Offense came from three goals, two of which were the first goals of the season for two members of the team; Amber Richards and Hailey Smoot.
The first-year Richards scored the first goal of her collegiate career as the ball made its way past the George Fox back line as Richards calmly netted the ball past the goal- keeper. It made it even more exciting as Richard’s sister was attendance as a member of the opposing team.
Smoot’s was a screamer from almost 30 yards out while Emily Hanna also added a score.
The Lutes scored their three goals on 30 shots during Sunday’s conference matchup while holding George Fox to only seven. Sophomore forward Kelsey Hathaway believes that the team is performing at a high level after this weekend’s impressive play.
“Our offense was really good which we’ve been trying to work with different people in different positions,” Hathaway stated. “Sunday we had a lot of good offensive attacks.”
With all the injuries this season to key players like Kaylie Rozell, Kristi Kaneta, Lauren Larson, and other short term injuries to players Angela Fischer and Katie Coronado, the team has not missed a step.
“Because of the injuries people have stepped up and proved themselves in those positions” Hathaway said. “We mesh really well on the field.”
As conference games near their end, the Lutes are in “must win” territory since the Loggers hold an advantage on the tiebreaker.
