Eagles women's soccer earns first win

CHENEY — The Eastern Washington women’s soccer team picked up their first win of the season Sunday with a final score of 2-1 over the Southern Utah Thunderbirds, according to a statement by EWU athletics.  

“Two fantastic goals in the second half really put us in control,” said Eastern head coach Missy Strasburg. “Credit to Kam for a huge save at 2-0 — that was a momentum-shifting moment. If that goes in, it's a completely different game with confidence swinging their way. That mindset, that grit in the final minutes of a tight game, says a lot.”  

Goals from Chloe Pattison and Delani Walker lifted the Eagles to the win, while goalkeeper Kamryn Willoughby stood tall with nine saves, allowing just one goal. 

Pattison opened the scoring in the 73rd minute, heading home a well-placed set piece from Becca Gaido. The Eagles doubled their lead minutes later when Walker fired a rocket from outside the 18-yard box that struck the crossbar and found the back of the net. Pattison, Iris Mattern, and Gaido were all credited with assists. 

The first half was dominated by Eastern, who came out aggressive, pressing the Thunderbirds' back line and firing 11 shots — forcing four saves from the opposing keeper. Meanwhile, Willoughby made five key saves to keep the game scoreless at the break. 

“A pass slightly late, a run a bit early — it led to offside calls that easily could've been goals. We created good chances but just couldn't finish, and that can create a sense of urgency or even panic. When you let a team hang around, they gain confidence. We drifted a bit from the things that made us successful early on, and that shift showed,” Strasburg said. 

According to SU’s athletics statement, freshman forward Carly Radke kept the pressure on, striking one from way outside the thirty, but again Willoughby made a great save.  

On another forward press, senior forward Sarah Assumma beat her defender and left a ball in the middle of the box that Radke ripped into the back of the net to score her first collegiate goal and give the Thunderbirds their first goal of the season. 

“We asked for passion, and we did that very well today. We scored a good goal. The team fought hard on the second game of a weekend on the road versus a good team. Battling back late and having a lot of chances will help us grow,” Thunderbirds head coach Kai Edwards said.  

In the second half, the Eagles continued their offensive push, tallying nine more shots and both of their goals. Despite Southern Utah pulling one back just four minutes after Walker's strike, it wasn't enough. The Eagles held strong in the final minutes to secure the win. 

“We're not thrilled about conceding late, but I'm incredibly proud of the team's response. Instead of folding, they rallied. We often huddle after goals to reset, but this time, they grabbed the ball, took it to midfield, and their body language said it all: 'Let's freaking go.'” 

Eastern Washington (1-1) now heads on the road to face North Dakota on Friday, Aug. 27, at 10:30 a.m. in Grand Forks, N.D.  

“We saw some excellent game management from our veterans — slowing things down when needed, using the clock wisely. It's within the rules, within the spirit of closing out a game, and it showed real maturity — especially from our wide players who managed those moments brilliantly,” Strasburg said.