University of Washington
Gonzaga
Shutout Vs. Zags Moves Huskies To 6-0
September 07, 2012 | Women's Soccer
SPOKANE, Wash. - Sophomore Jaclyn Softli scored the game-winner in the 56th minute as the Huskies prevailed in Spokane, Wash., in a tough road game vs. Gonzaga, 1-0 on Friday night.
The Huskies improve to 6-0 on the year and handed the Bulldogs just their second loss of the season, (5-2).
Softli (Sammamish, Wash.) scored her first goal of the season and fifth of her career on a close shot in front of the box on an assist from junior Hillary Zevenbergen (Woodway, Wash.).
Gonzaga put the pressure on senior goalkeeper Kari Davidson (Portland, Ore.) and the Husky "D" all night, taking 14 shots total, to eight for the Huskies. The Bulldogs also had eight corner kicks in the game.
Davidson made seven saves on her way to posting the shutout and moving to 5-0 herself in goal on the year. She has three shutouts on the season and five in her career.
"Gonzaga took it to us in the first half," said head coach Lesle Gallimore. "We were lucky to get out of it without giving up a goal. Defensively we held our own. They (Gonzaga) were tall, good in the air. We were pleased to be 0-0 at the half, because I didn't think it was our best effort. I thought we came out a little tight. The second half was a different story. I thought we started out really well, started playing the ball around, taking advantage of our skillful midfield and ended up stringing some passes together. Hillary ran a ball down into the corner that she served and Jaclyn made a great goal. We had some other chances as the half went on."
Junior Lindsay Elston (Sammamish, Wash.) took a team-high six shots but was held scoreless and pointless for the first time this season.
"It was a great win for us and a really good defensive effort not to give something up on the corners they had," Gallimore added. "Kari and Faustine (Dufka) kept the team focused on this game with everyone talking about Notre Dame. We are happy to come home with the win. We have a quick turn around on Sunday for one of our few home games coming up. We are hoping to put something special together for our fans."
No. 22 Washington hosts the 2010 National Champion Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Sunday at Noon. Pizza is free to all fans wearing purple.
