University of Washington
California
Softli Delivers Game-Winner As UW Beats Cal
October 05, 2014 | Women's Soccer
BERKELEY, Calif. – Jaclyn Softli scored a game-winner in the 87th minute to give UW women's soccer a 2-1 win over Cal, the Huskies' first conference win of the season.
"That's a huge result for our team," head coach Lesle Gallimore said. "Super happy for Kate Bennett, that she found the back of the net, and I'm really happy for Jaclyn Softli. It's her first Pac-12 goal. We would have been happy with one, but I can't even tell you how pleased I am to get three points before going home for three games."
The Huskies (8-4-0, 1-2-0 Pac-12) held a 1-0 halftime lead, but Cal (9-3-0, 1-2-0 Pac-12) equalized in the 72nd minute when a Cal forward was taken down in the box between three Husky defenders and awarded a penalty kick. Taylor Comeau buried the penalty kick to tie the game at 1-1, her seventh of the season to lead the Bears.
With the game tied, there was an increase in intesity and physicality. Both teams had chances, and finally Softli delivered the game-winner with less than three minutes remaining. She was free behind the Cal defense and freshman forward Shannon Simon lobbed a ball that found Softli streaking toward the goal. Softli then touched the ball past Cal keeper Emily Boyd, who was charging on the play. It was her seventh goal of the season.
The Huskies held off a few last minute attempts and ended up with their first points in Pac-12 play.
UW took a 1-0 lead in the first half on Bennett's fourth goal of the year, equaling her season total from 2013. Bennett's goal came in the 32nd minute and Chelsea Archer was credited with the assist. Possessing the ball near the right corner of the 18-yard box, she found some space and dribbled to her left before firing a left-footed shot into the upper right corner of the net to give the Dawgs a 1-0 lead.
The first half saw the Dawgs hold the majority of the possession, but Cal had a few dangerous looks and outshot UW nine to four. The Huskies really pushed early, earning four corner kicks in the first 15 minutes of the game.
The win gives the Huskies eight wins in the 2014 season, surpassing last year's win total when the Huskies finished 7-9-4. UW improved to 12-11-1 against Cal all-time and it was the Huskies' first win against the Bears since 2008.
Cal dropped both home games this weekend, losing to Washington St. 1-0 on Friday before losing to the Dawgs. The two goals scored by UW were the most given up by Cal this season.
The Huskies return home on Friday, Oct. 10 when they play Arizona State at 7 pm on Husky Soccer Field before hosting Arizona on Sunday, Oct. 12 at 1 p.m. Sunday's game will be broadcast on the Pac-12 Network. Fans can follow both games live on Twitter at @UW_WSoccer.
