Freshman forward Gabriela Pelogi led Western women’s soccer team to a 2-1 win over Central Washington University during a home game on Thursday, Oct. 8.
The match-up was an aggressive and fast-paced game, ending with Pelogi’s game-winning goal in overtime.
“Pelogi had a fantastic game,” head coach Travis Connell said. “She is really coming into her own as a soccer player on our team.”
For most of the first half the Vikings controlled the tempo of the game, until Central’s midfielder Reilly Retz scored at the 24-minute mark.
“[We did well at] passing around, spreading out, calming down and not kicking the ball around,” senior forward Catherine Miles said.
Central led the game going into halftime 1-0.
With 32 minutes left in the second half, senior midfielder Savanna Moorehouse scored on a cross from Pelogi. Despite further opportunities to score, Central held Western off until overtime.
Three minutes into overtime, Pelogi took on the keeper and drove the ball into the back of the net to end the game.
“I love my team,” Connell said. “They are good soccer players, talented women and have a good heart.”
The Viking’s have outscored its opponents 56-5 with 7 shutouts. This is partially due to senior goalkeeper Ashley Haden’s saves and Miles who leads the team with 6 goals and 2 assists.
Vikings winning streak is now at 8 games, giving them a Great Northwest Athletic Conference record of 5-0-0.
Western was also ranked third this week in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II Coaches Poll.
“We just take it game by game and know that each game is going to be a challenge and that we need to play well,” Miles said.
As Pelogi scored her goal in overtime, fans stood up and cheered.
“It was a great win for Western,” junior fan Alex Pham said. “We gave up that early goal, but it was definitely a good comeback win.”
The Vikings hope to increase its winning streak against Montana State University-Billings, who is 3-1-1 in GNAC play. They face off at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10, on Robert S. Harrington Field. “We need to get recovered and healthy. That game was physical and took a lot out of us,” said Connell. “We need to get people healthy so they can compete again.”
