Eagles battle, fall to Aggies in home opener

CHENEY, Wash. — In a physical match, Eastern came up just short in their home opener 3-2 to UC Davis. A late goal in the 86th minute from the Aggies would be the deciding factor as the Eagles fall to 2-2-1 on the season.

It was the fifth all-time meeting between the Eagles and the Aggies, as Eastern fell to 1-4 all-time against UC Davis, and 11-23-2 all-time against Big West Conference teams. 

It was a long time coming, as Eastern played their first four matches on the road before their home opener. It was a hot one on the home pitch, as subs were consistent all match to keep fresh legs on both sides. 

“We are so happy to be home. It was a good road trip swing for us, a long road trip swing for us. Multiple time zones, elevations, and climates. Also stylistically different styles of opponents.,”  head coach Missy Strasburg said. “Today, certainly not the result we wanted, and those are hard takeaways in terms of missed opportunities in front of goal, and the late opportunity where UC Davis ends up with the go-ahead goal. In terms of quality, energy, and commitment, we are really happy with that performance today. A little extra effort and energy when we are playing at home.”

The Aggies struck first in the 28th minute and would take the early 1-0 lead with a cross and a header to the back of the net.

The Eagles would respond as Chloe Pattison took advantage of an Aggie error to tie the game one a piece in the 39th minute. It was Pattison’s second goal of the season, and was the first multiple goal scorer of the season. The first seven goals of the season were scored by seven different players.

At the half, the Eagles were out shot 13-5. Despite the shot differential in the Aggies favor, UC Davis was only able to record three shots on target. 

After the half, Eastern quickly was on the attack in the 55th minute with a great turn by forward Kendall Moore for her second goal of the season to take the 2-1 lead. Walker would help in the goal and record her second assist of the season.

“With our team this year we are responding incredibly well in those moments. It is very similar to being a boxer, and getting punched in the face. Our response to that, our concentration is better, our energy is better. We are a little more ruthless and relentless in terms of how we are attacking and being committed to defending,” Strasburg said.

It would not be soon after when the Aggies would respond as in the 59th minute the Aggies would score again to tie it 2-2. The match would continue to be a back and forth affair, but off of an Aggie corner kick in the 86th minute, UC Davis was able to take the 3-2, and hold on for the victory. 

“One thing is beating teams then you are better than, but second is carrying that 90 minute mindset. If you are a team that is better coming from behind, how do you get into that mindset without actually having to be behind. How we replicate that mindset at the start of the game to go up plus one, plus two, and continue to push. Instead of feeling like we have to put ourselves in a position to chase. This is part of building championship culture. It is a work in progress for us, but I think that is them making a choice and bringing the quality of their play back to our standard. We just want to see that earlier,” Strasburg said. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• Forward Charity Freeman recorded a shot on goal in her fifth straight game.
• Forward Kendall Moore recorded her second goal of the season, and both of her shots were on goal.
• Forward Chloe Pattison recorded her second goal of the season and leads the team with 10 shots recorded this season.
• Freshman forward Bella Bunnage recorded her first start of the season.
• Defender Becca Gaido played a full 90 minute match for the second straight match, and leads the team in minutes played (429).
• The Eagles were out shot 24-12, but tied the Aggies with shots on goal 7-7.

The Eagles will be home again September 8th at EWU soccer field to host Hawaii at 1 pm and will be streaming on ESPN+.
 

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ABOUT EASTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
Eastern Washington University Athletics sponsors 14 intercollegiate sports, six for men and eight for women, both as learning opportunities for its most athletically talented students and as an enhancement to student and community life. Eastern is affiliated with Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and is a member of the Big Sky Conference, an association of 10 regional schools with comparable enrollments and academic goals.

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