University of Washington
1-0-0, 0-0-0Pac-12
Gonzaga
0-1-0, 0-0-0WCC
Blanchard's Header Pushes UW Past Gonzaga, 1-0
August 29, 2015 | Men's Soccer
SEATTLE – It wasn't the fast start that the Huskies hoped for, nor was it the prettiest game, but in the end the Dawgs got the result they needed, a 1-0 season-opening win over Gonzaga. Beau Blanchard scored on a diving header early in the second half and that would be all that Washington would need.
“We're still finding our feet,” said head coach Jamie Clark. “If we can get wins while we're finding our way, we are going to be happy. It's not always going to be pretty, but there were moments today.”
Washington got off to a bit of a slow start as Gonzaga had the best early chances, including a couple of shots on goal that might have beaten a lesser goalkeeper. Fortunately, it was Ryan Herman in net for the Huskies and he made a pair of spectacular saves to keep things scoreless.
Washington began to round into form as the half progressed, creating more chances. Henry Wingo had a crack from distance, but he skied it over the goal. That was followed by a cross from the endline from Josh Heard, but it went just over his target, Kyle Coffee, in front of the goal.
The game would go to the half scoreless with Gonzaga having the overall edge in shots, 6-4. The difference was Herman who made three of his five saves in the half.
“In the first half, Ryan had to bail us out a few times, but in the second half the defending was good,” said Clark.
The defending was nearly flawless in the second half, but it helped to play with the lead as Blanchard scored the only goal just 1:56 after the break. Heard again got free on the right wing, dribbling by a Gonzaga defender and sending a cross into the six-yard box. There was Blanchard to convert a diving header in front of net, leaving no chance for the Gonzaga goalkeeper.
It was the first goal of the season for the Dawgs and second of Blanchard's Husky career. The redshirt sophomore came on as a substitute in the first half, but started the second and it proved decisive.
“He makes good decisions,” said Clark of Blanchard. “He was great at bossing the team and making good decisions. He does that every time he is out there.”
The defense held up the rest of the way as the young group held the Bulldogs without a great chance in the second half. In his third-year starting, center back Justin Schmidt led freshmen Quentin Pearson, redshirt freshman Luke Hauswirth and sophomore Justin Fiddes to the clean sheet in front of Herman.
Herman earned his ninth career shutout and improved his record at UW to an incredible 17-2-3.
The Dawgs will have a quick turnaround as they complete the weekend against UC Davis on Sunday night at 7:30 p.m. The game will not be broadcast on TV, but there will be a free webcast available from gohuskies.com and the Pac-12 HERE.
Team Stats
Blanchard, Beau (1)
Assisted By: Heard, Josh
cross to header
46:56
