It was a bit of an odd one in Cheney Sunday as the Eagles rushed the Montana goal quickly and created an own goal in the first minute of play that would stand as the deciding tally despite Montana having the vast majority of shots thanks to another quality defensive effort, own goal aside. The victory assured the Eagles of a postseason spot and put them in a commanding lead atop the table as the lone unbeaten. Sunday's contest was the second of back-to-back games against the second place opponents with the Grizzlies having jumped into the spot after Friday's results, allowing the Eagles to create a four-point gap over Portland State, who they defeated Friday, with three games remaining.
Meanwhile in Idaho, Boise State was the lone side celebrating on Sunday following a 3-1 Mountain West win at Wyoming. Idaho State was easily dispatched by Northern Arizona and Idaho fell yet again.
DI Results from Saturday/Sunday...
BIG SKY ROUND-UP ####
Montana 0-1 Eastern Washington
A quick blitz on the the Grizzlies goal in the opening minute led to an own goal 43 seconds into the match that would stand as the winner. The own goal came in the scramble to clear the ball after a Delaney Romero (Yakima, WA / Walla Walla CC) shot was saved off the line by a Montana defender. The Griz fought back looking to equalize in the first half and went into the break with a 10-1 advantage in shots. Both teams had looks in the second period as well, including one from Chloe Williams (Spokane, WA) that crashed off the crossbar in the 53rd minute and denied her sole possession of the All-Time Big Sky Goal-Scoring record. The record breaker will now likely come on the road as it was Senior Day for the Eags, who now finish out the campaign with three on the road. Emily Busselman (Richland, WA / CC Spokane) finished with a career high seven saves for the shutout, her third consecutive and sixth overall, while Claire Howard made was only called upon to make one save.
Portland State 2-1 Idaho
The visitors grabbed the lead on a long shot in the 37th minute and held the lead until just after the hour mark. Megan Goo finished a cross from Bridget Daley in the 62nd minute but the Vikings answered immediately a minute later with what held as the winner.
Idaho State 0-4 Northern Arizona
The Lumberjacks scored twice in the first nine minutes and were up three by the break. They added one more with Adrian Nixt finishing a hat-trick in the third minutes of the second half as they cruised to the win with a 21-6 advantage in shots.
Sacramento State 1-1 Weber State
The Wildcats grabbed the lead at home in the 26th minute but Caitlin Prothe (Spokane, WA) forced a turnover at midfield and set up the goal on a counter for the Hornets in the 37th minute.
North Dakota 3-0 Southern Utah
Remaining Schedule...
Friday, October 20
Montana @ Northern Colorado
Eastern Washington @ Idaho State
Idaho @ Weber State
North Dakota @ Portland State
Southern Utah @ Northern Arizona
Sunday, October 22
Eastern Washington @ Weber State
Idaho @ Idaho State
North Dakota @ Montana
Northern Colorado @ Portland State
Southern Utah @ Sacramento State
Friday, October 27
Eastern Washington @ Idaho
Portland State @ Montana
Weber State @ Idaho State
Northern Colorado @ North Dakota
Northern Arizona @ Sacramento State
Big Sky Standings (W-L-T... Pts)
Eastern Washington 6-0-1... 19^
Portland State 5-2-0... 15
Montana 4-2-1... 13
Northern Colorado 4-3-0... 12
Northern Arizona 4-4-0... 12
North Dakota 3-4-0... 9
Southern Utah 3-5-0... 9
Sacramento State 2-3-3... 9
Weber State 2-3-2... 8
Idaho State 2-5-0... 6
Idaho 1-5-1... 4
^Clinched Big Sky Playoff spot
OTHER DI RESULTS ####
WOMEN - GONZAGA
10/15 Gonzaga 0-4 #17 Pepperdine
The Zags had no answer for the host's Bri Visalli, who set up the first goal and also tallied a hat-trick with one in the first half and two in the second.
Next...
10/21 - Gonzaga @ Portland
WOMEN - WASHINGTON STATE
10/14 Washington State 0-2 #18 California
The hosts scored six minutes in and added some insurance in the 72nd.
Next...
10/19 - UCLA @ Washington State
10/22 - USC @ Washington State
WOMEN - BOISE STATE
Boise State 3-1 Wyoming
Raimee Sherle (Meridian, ID) scored the opener in the 22nd minute, intercepting a pass along the back line and finishing a one-on-one with the keeper. The hosts tied it up in the 62nd, but Sherle replied immediately by setting up McKenna Kynett for a finish over the keeper a minute later. Baylee Blaser (Boise, ID) added some insurance in the 80th. The result put the Broncos in a tie for fourth with San Diego State, trailing New Mexico and Air Force by one and San Jose State by five.
Next...
10/20 - Nevada @ Boise State
10/22 - UNLV @ Boise State
MEN - GONZAGA
10/15 Gonzaga 1-2 OT San Diego
A cross from Nick Ulowetz in the 19th minute was headed in by Matt Kintzle to give the Zags the lead, which held until the 70th minute. The hosts scored seven minutes into overtime for the win.
Next...
10/27 - San Francisco @ Gonzaga
10/29 - Santa Clara @ Gonzaga
NOTES
Havana Johnson (Coeur d'Alene, ID) scored the third goal for McNeese in a 7-0 victory against Incarnate Word.
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