Gonzaga’s Turn-Around Sets Record
Gonzaga University scored three second-half goals in a 9-minute stretch Sunday as the Bulldogs (8-9) downed Western Washington University (9-7-3) 3-0 in a non-conference women’s soccer match at Martin Field.
The victory enabled Gonzaga to reach the high point of its remarkable turn-around. The Bulldogs improved their record to 8-9, a seven-victory jump over last fall’s dismal 1-16-3 mark.
Although the season is not complete, Gonzaga has broken the West Coast Conference record for additional victories from one-season to the next.
Western fell to 9-7-3.
After a scoreless first hall, Betsy Platt’s misdirection of a Kiera Silva pass caught WWU keeper Anna Wagner going the wrong way and put Gonzaga in front at the 49-minute mark.
Megan Keaty then scored off Miss Strasburg’s free kick at 56:09 and Sara Streufert punched the ball past Wagner for her eighth goal of the season barely a minute later.
California’s Natalie Stuhlmueller scored the only goal of the match in the second half as the Golden Bears defeated Washington State 1-0 in a Pacific-10 Conference match at Berkeley, Calif.
WSU’s Cougars (7-8-0, 2-4-0) dropped their fourth match in a row and third consecutive 1-0 decision. Goalkeeper Jill Stephenson posted her second straight shutout for Cal (7-7-1, 2-3-0).
The Bears outshot the Cougars 14-1 in the first half, and scored on their third shot with less than 4 minutes gone in the second half.
Courtney Carroll, Cal’s leading scorer, crossed the ball from the right side of the field to Stuhlmueller who settled the ball at the 6-yard box and hit a shot inside the left post for her second game-winner of the season.
Marilyn Piduch hit the lower left corner of the net with less than 4 minutes left in overtime to give Whitworth (8-7-2, 8-5-1) a 2-1 Northwest Conference of Independent Colleges victory over visiting Pacific Lutheran (8-8-2, 6-7-2).
After falling behind 3-1, division-leading Community Colleges of Spokane (8-1-4) tied Highline 3-3 in an NWAACC match at Spokane Falls CC.
Katie Snow and Holly Vanwert scored the catch-up goals for the Sasquatch. Heidi Simmons assisted on all three CCS scores.
Men’s soccer
PLU (11-5-2, 8-5-2), scrambling to claim the final NCIC playoff berth, edged Whitworth (4-8-4, 2-8-4) 2-1 at Whitworth.
Kelly Tifft scored the final two goals after assisting on the first as CC Spokane drubbed visiting Flathead Valley 7-0 in a non-conference match.
Brennan plans to play
University of Idaho quarterback Brian Brennan, who left Saturday’s 63-17 loss to Utah State with an ankle injury, expects to play Saturday against Eastern Washington at Albi Stadium.
“He told me he’s going to do some light running (Tuesday),” coach Chris Tormey said.
Brennan has a sprained ankle and turf toe.
Horse racing
Heavily favored Turn to Glory led from start to finish in a five-length victory in the inaugural running of the $25,000 All West Classic at Playfair Race Course.
Ridden by Gallyn Mitchell, Turn To Glory ran one mile in 1:37-1/5 and paid $2.80. Brass Prince ran second with RC Midnight Cruiser third in a field of nine 4-year-olds.
, DataTimes MEMO: Changed from the Idaho edition