PRESCOTT, Ariz. – No. 10 Eastern Oregon University Women's Soccer dropped her first game of the 2021 season Friday night in a top-10 showdown against No. 3 Spring Arbor University. In what was a rematch of last year's first round match at the NAIA National Championships, the Cougars shutout the Mountaineers 4-0.
 
How it Happened
• The Cougars (1-0-1) secured the win with the help of three first half goals, two of which came within a minute of each other. Offensively, SAU finished the match with a 14-3 shots advantage with a 10-3 edge in shots on goal.
• The match was a physical one between the two squads as they combined for 24 fouls. SAU finished with just two less at 11 compared to 13 for EOU (0-1-0). Also helping the Cougars in the win was a 6-3 edge in corner kicks.
• The game was scoreless through the midway point of the first period before the Cougars finally found the back of the net to end the scoreless drought. Following a foul by the Mountaineers, the Cougars capitalized and scored in the 24th minute to go ahead 1-0.
• It took just one minute for the Cougars to make it a 2-0 lead. Quick reaction from SAU following the first goal allowed them to find the back of the net a second time. The lead for the Cougars grew to 3-0 right before the break as they found the back of the net in the 45th minute.
• The first 45 minutes of action went in favor of SAU who went into the break with the lead and a 7-0 edge in shots taken. Of the seven shots taken by the Cougars, six came on goal.
• The second period saw the Mountaineers' offense find some rhythm on the offensive side, but the Cougars also continued to apply the pressure on offense as well. SAU took seven shots overall and had four come on goal.
• Eastern managed to connect three shots overall with all three coming on goal. Helping the Cougars again was a 4-2 edge in corner kicks, and they added one more security goal to secure the four goal win.
• The final goal for SAU came early on in the second period as the Cougars found the back of the net in the 48th minute.
 
Mountaineers Stat Leaders
• Kaitlyn McLeod finished with one shot that came on goal.
• Darby McDevitt took one shot that came on goal.
• Lexi Maslowski also finished with one shot that came on goal.
• Kiara Fontanilla tallied four saves in the start.
 
For the Cougars
• Mackenzie Selvius led the way for SAU with two goals. She took three shots overall and had two come on goal.
• Becca Mindling scored one goal in the win as well. She finished with three shots total, all of which came on goal.
• Fara Serra scored one goal, the gamewinner, in the Cougars win. She took just one shot, which came on goal.
• Samantha Tracey had three saves in net in 45 minutes of action.
 
By the Numbers
3 – The Mountaineers managed just three shots in the loss to SAU.
0 – EOU is now 0-2 against the Cougars all-time.
23 – The Mountaineers had 23 players make an appearance in the 2021 season opener.
13 – This is just the 13th loss for EOU under the direction of Head Coach Jacob Plocher.
 
Up Next
• The Mountaineers will have a day's rest before stepping back on the pitch. Eastern will take on Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) on Sunday, Aug. 23. Kickoff will be at 7 p.m. PT.

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