SPRINGFIELD, Ore. – Freshman forward Alexandria Cuaresma scored a pair of goals in less than a minute, and the Eastern Oregon University women's soccer team shutout Northwest for the second time this year, 3-0, to advance to the semifinals of the 2015 Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) Tournament.
"Our defense played solid and kept us in the game until we could build a lead," said head women's soccer coach Justin Wagar. "They carried our team tonight. Megan Dimmler did amazing things for us, she was everywhere. Alexandria Cuaresma had good finishes."
Key Performances
Both of Cuaresma's scores came late in the second stanza to put the Eagles away, while freshman midfielder Megan Dimmler netted a goal midway through the first half to put EOU on the board. In addition, senior forward Crystal Schuder fired four shots, including three on frame.
In the box, junior keeper Jessica Parker tallied two saves to earn her eighth shutout of the season.
Northwest was led by four shots from Bailey Travis, while Lauren Patefield tallied three saves in the losing effort.
The Storyline
After EOU (16-2, 9-2 CCC) came up empty on its first four shots, Dimmler beat her defender and sent one home in the 21st minute to put the Mountaineers on the board, 1-0.
The Navy and Gold compelled Northwest to just one shot on goal in the first half, as the Mountaineer defense simply stymied the Eagles' attack.
EOU's defense paid dividends and eventually earned two quick scores by Cuaresma in the second half. Both Anderson and Dimmler assisted Cuaresma's goal in the 84th minute, and a mere 59 seconds later, Cuaresma did it again to put the Mountaineers on top, 3-0.
With Northwest (7-10-2, 6-4-1 CCC) pushing to get on the board, Gabriela de Andrade fired one on frame in the 88th minute, but Parker was there to scoop up the save.
Stat of the Game
2 – Goals by Cuaresma, the second brace by an EOU freshman (along with Anderson) this season.
Up Next
The Mountaineers return to the pitch tomorrow against second-seeded College of Idaho in Springfield, Ore., at 7 p.m.
