University of Washington
Oregon State
Keever Gives Huskies 2-1 Win Over OSU
October 30, 2015 | Women's Soccer
CORVALLIS, Ore. – Sophomore Kimberly Keever scored the game-winning goal in double overtime and as the Huskies came back from a one-goal deficit to beat Oregon State 2-1 on a rainy afternoon at Lorenz Field. Sophomore midfielder Shannon Simon scored the game-tying goal in the 76th minute to send the game to extra time and set up Keever's heroics.
“That's a sign of a good team, when you can fight back,” UW head coach Lesle Gallimore said. “We fought through the elements and fought through a game that wasn't our best performance. We made it difficult on ourselves, but we battled and eventually we got our game-winner. I'm proud of the gritty performance they put out there today.”
With the game tied at 1-1 at the end of regulation, the Huskies and Beavers played a scoreless first overtime period. In the 103rd minute, freshman midfielder Sam Kokoska played a ball that was deflected toward the goal by Simon. An OSU defender attempted to trap and clear the ball, but Keever stepped in and touched the ball past OSU keeper Bella Geist.
"At that point, we were just trying to go forward and create chances," Keever said. "We felt the momentum going our way. Sam played a good ball and they couldn't clear it, so I did my best to get in there."
“That's what Kimby does best – she fights and she's quick and she stole one for us,” Gallimore added.
It was Keever's sixth goal of the year, second most on the team. Her six goals in 2015 match her season total from 2014, when she was named to the Pac-12 All-Freshman team. Simon and Kokoska were each credited with assists.
After falling behind 1-0, Simon and the Huskies were hunting for an equalizer that came in the 76th minute. The Huskies earned a corner kick on the left side. Simon took the corner and lofted a ball that curled over the defense and went directly into the goal.
“Shannon Simon, Amanda Perez, Sam Kokoska – they did a really nice job for us in the second half when we were pressing and creating chances,” Gallimore said. “We just stayed in it, and we want to be dangerous on those set pieces.”
Simon now has seven goals this season to lead the Huskies, who improved to 12-4-2 and 5-3-1 in Pac-12 play. Her five assists also lead the team.
"The second half was much more high pressured and we were trying to attack more," Simon said. "We had more confidence and realized we weren't being as aggressive as we needed to be. I was surpised that corner kick went in. I just drove the ball in there and it went in. We were going after them and it was nice to take advantage."
OSU took a 1-0 lead in the 59th minute when McKenzie Redburg found the back of the net. Her shot found its way through a crowd in front of the Washington net after a cross fell to Redburg's feet.
The Huskies and Beavers played to a scoreless tie in the first half, with neither team producing any dangerous looks. Both teams finished with five shots and each goalkeeper produced one save apiece in the half.
UW finished the game with 13 shots to OSU's 15. Kufeld ended the game with three saves and Geist has two. Washington took eight corner kicks, all in the second half, to three for OSU.
The Huskies take on Oregon to finish their weekend on Sunday, Nov. 1. The game will kick off at 1 p.m. PT and will be broadcast via live stream. In-game updates will also be provided on Twitter at @UW_WSoccer.
For more on UW women's soccer, follow the Huskies on Facebook and on Snapchat, Periscope, Twitter and Instagram at @UW_WSoccer.
