University of Washington
La Salle
Dawgs Earn 1-0 Road Shutout At La Salle
August 30, 2014 | Women's Soccer
Final Stats
PHILADELPHIA – Washington improved to 2-0-0 with an important road victory at La Salle (1-2-0), winning 1-0. The game went scoreless most of the way, before the Dawgs broke through in the 67th minute for the game's only goal.
“I am really proud of our team,” said head coach Lesle Gallimore. “La Salle is a really hard-fighting, skillful team and it is a tough place to play. Their field has some rough field turf and is a little bit undersized. Tonight one bank of lights went out so it was dark in one corner. Still, we hung in there and handled the adversity.”
It was the second-straight win to start the season against an opponent that played in the NCAA Tournament a year ago.
Washington dominated most of the game's possession and had the majority of the chances. Washington outshot the Explorers 23-10 for the game, including an 11-6 edge in shots on target. Washington was particularly good in the second half, although initially not able to take advantage of their scoring chances.
The breakthrough finally came in the 67th minute when freshman Kimberly Keever scored her second goal of the season. She was set up by fellow freshman Shannon Simon, who was a club teammate of Keever in Southern California as the duo led Beach FC to the club national title earlier this summer.
Simon broke down the wing and played a perfect centering ball where Keever was awaiting the finish. The goal was the second of the season already for Keever, who is off to a great start to her Husky career. Simon was dangerous offensively all night, taking nine shots, including five on target.
Kate Bennett and Jaclyn Softli were also dangerous going to goal as each player forced the La Salle goalkeeper into a pair of saves. Overall, the Explorers made 10 saves as the Dawgs kept the pressure up all evening.
After the goal, the Dawgs hung on for the victory, using the bench to spell some tired starters. The backline of Sami Page, Allyson Brahs, Stine Schoening and Dominique Bond-Flasza held strong, while Havana McElvaine also subbed in for some good minutes.
In goal, Megan Kufeld earned the shutout, which was the ninth of her career. The redshirt junior made six saves to improve to 2-0 on the season.
“It was just a great team effort,” said Gallimore. “On a small field with bouncy turf, we just kept battling. Their coach remarked that we played as well at their place as anyone he could remember.”
The Dawgs will have a quick turnaround as they stay in the state of Pennsylvania for their next match. UW will fly west across the state to Pittsburgh, were they will face the Panthers on Sunday at 10:00 a.m., PT.
