LA GRANDE, Ore. — An early penalty kick proved to be the difference Saturday as Northwest University women's soccer fell 1-0 to Eastern Oregon in its regular-season finale.
Ali Tiechner recorded 11 saves to keep the Eagles within a goal, while Northwest generated several chances after halftime but could not find the equalizer.
The Eagles finished the regular season at 9-5-0 overall and 8-4-0 in Cascade Collegiate Conference play. Eastern Oregon improved to 12-5-1 overall and 8-4-0 in the CCC.
Peyton Jacaway put the Mountaineers ahead with a penalty kick at the 9:38 mark. Tiechner responded with five first-half saves, keeping the deficit at one heading into the break.
Northwest found more opportunities going forward in the second half, producing all six of its shots and earning three corner kicks. Hailey Deese tested Eastern Oregon goalkeeper Elysa Morse in the 63rd minute, and Talia Hurst followed with a shot on goal in the 65th.
Madeline Johnson came close to tying the match moments later, sending a shot off the crossbar at 65:22. The Eagles continued searching for a breakthrough, but the Mountaineers held on to the narrow lead.
Johnson and Hurst finished with two shots apiece, while Deese and Alivia Berry each added one. Tiechner made six more saves after halftime as Eastern Oregon finished with a 20-6 advantage in shots.
"I'm proud of how our team responded today," said head coach April VanAssche. "We played with more heart, more togetherness, and a belief in one another that showed throughout the game. An early penalty kick proved to be the difference. We threw everything we had at them in the second half but couldn't find the equalizer. So many of our players battled through obstacles and gave everything they had this weekend. We're excited to enter the postseason in our strongest position in several years, and we're ready to give everything we've got to earn our way back to nationals."
Northwest now turns its attention to the Cascade Collegiate Conference Tournament, scheduled for Nov. 7-11 in Medford, Oregon. Stay tuned for the Eagles' first-round opponent and match details.
