After suffering a 4-0 defeat to Eastern Washington on September 16th, the Geoducks looked to get back on the right track against Trinity Lutheran Eagles, who had already defeated them 5-1 earlier this season.
When the first half started on September 28, the Geoducks showed they had a better side than their recent result would suggest.
Evergreen controlled all parts of the pitch. They defended as a unit, they controlled as a unit, and they attacked as a unit.
The Eagles were in no position to challenge the Geoducks, who created chance after chance in the first half. Evergreen took the lead when a corner kick was delivered in by #2 Lea Rohan, straight into the hands of the Eagle’s goalkeeper Kaylin Wilson who fumbled the ball into her own net.
With the 1–nil lead, Evergreen aimed to double their advantage.
The Geoducks picked up their second goal when #6 Rayna Murphy got behind the Eagle’s defense and dribbled around the Eagles goalkeeper, coolly firing a shot into the open net.
Evergreen added a third goal in the 42nd minute when #13 Katie Mendoza was able to beat her defender and create a one-on-one with the Eagles' goalkeeper. Mendoza blasted a shot past the keeper from close range, which saw Evergreen grab a 3-nil lead.
With the score at 3-0, Evergreen appeared to be on easy street and nothing could be done to halt their ruthless display. Evergreen out shot the Eagles 10-1 and controlled the majority of possession.
When the second half started it looked like the Geoducks would run away with the match. They created a few scoring chances, but could not find the finishing touch.
Midway through the second half #23 Haley Lightfoot committed a foul inside the box and received a yellow card; the Eagles received a penalty kick. The Eagles converted from the spot to make it 3-1.
What followed was confusing and heartbreaking.
A more focused Eagles team, who pressured Evergreen relentlessly and effortlessly, undid the dominant performance in the first half by Evergreen.
The Eagles pulled a second back when Brianna Oostinga fired past Evergreen’s Lauren Davidson in the 61st minute. The Geoduck players were shocked to see their lead, which they so easily achieved in the first 45 minutes, being washed away.
The comeback was complete in the 66th minute when the Eagle’s Oostinga found herself in the right spot after a free kick that hit the cross bar and bounced right to her. She easily pushed the ball over the line with her chest.
With the score level at three’s, both sides tried desperately tried to win the match in regular time. That was not meant to be.
Extra time followed, which produced several chances for the Eagles and the Geoducks, but neither side could find the right touch to put it past the opposing goalkeeper.
The match ended in a 3-3 draw leaving the Evergreen women frustrated that they did not finish off the match earlier and promptly let the Eagles back into the match.
The Evergreen Women will travel down to Eugene, Oregon to face Northwest Christian in their first conference match on Saturday, October 1st .