The Western Washington women’s soccer team won its opening round of the NCAA Division II Championships against Azusa Pacific Thursday, Nov. 21 with a late heroic effort from Claire Potter.
With 30 seconds remaining in regulation, Halle Noel scrambled for the ball near the right sideline. After saving it from going out of bounds, she turned around and fired a cross into the box. Potter headed it into the lower left corner and the Vikings celebrated the victory.
The Vikings scrambled for the game-winner after allowing the equalizing goal in the 86th minute to Jaci Maze. Maze scored on a header that slipped through Western goalkeeper Abigail Trengove’s gloves.
Maze was one of two Cougars players to have a shot on goal during the game. Western had 12 shots, four on goal and Azusa Pacific had 10 shots, four on goal.
Western’s first goal came in the third minute of the game. Cougars’ left back made a weak pass to goalie Maddie Williams, who chased the ball near the top of the box. Western’s Kyrsten McGuffey reached the ball beforehand, juked Williams and scored on the open net.
The Vikings nearly scored on another erroneous pass in the backfield when McGuffey stole a pass, passed to Morgan Manalili and crossed to Potter, who was offside.
Olivia Connell also had two headers off a free kick and corner kick in the 10th and 11th minute that were cleared on the goalline.
The Vikings will head to the second round of the NCAA Championships and compete against top-seed Cal Poly Pomona at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23 at Kellogg Stadium.
Nick Zeller-Singh is CDN's sports reporter; reach him at nickzellersingh@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 104.
