A year later, the Eagles finally end their losing streak against the Gonzaga Bulldogs. A 2-1 decision Friday was the first win in the series since 2002 and the first-ever in Cheney. The victory over a previously unbeaten Zags squad (4-0-1) was a much-needed one for the reigning Big Sky champs that are off to a slow start (3-3-0).
It was a long wait from a year ago in Spokane when the Eagles held a 2-1 lead at Gonzaga before a thunderstorm halted and eventually forced the cancellation of the match on September 2. Allison Raniere and Jenny Chavez scored for Eastern in that match with Karley Baggerly tallying the equalizer.
Jenny Chavez had a pair of headers early in the contest that nearly put Eastern on the board in the opening five minutes of the match.
Senior Savannah Hoekstra (Spokane, WA) broke through for the opener 15 minutes into the match with a run up the left side and a shot between two Gonzaga defenders and past the keeper.
In the second half a ball cleared out of the box into midfield sprung Delaney Romero (Yakima, WA), who took advantage of the space she had to outrun the Gonzaga defense before the trailing defender tackled her in the box about 10 yards from goal.
Allison Raniere stepped to the spot and nailed a perfect penalty over the dive of the Gonzaga keeper.
India Jencks one-timed a ball from the near-corner of the six served in from the right flank of the area from Jodi Ulkekul. The goal came with five minutes left, creating a dramatic finish.
Chloe Williams was smiles after the match even though she missed out on becoming the all-time career points leader in Big Sky soccer. She tied the record (87 by Idaho State's Amanda Ellsworth) in their last match.
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