LA GRANDE, Ore. - In a battle of two top-25 women's soccer teams in the NAIA, it was Eastern Oregon University who walked away the victor as the No. 13 Mountaineers took down the No. 17 Westmont College Warriors. EOU earned a hard fought 1-0 win over Westmont its home opener to improve to 3-1-0.
How it Happened
• Despite the game being just a 1-0 affair, both squads were relentless on both sides of the ball. Westmont (3-1-1) was the aggressor on offense with a 21-8 shots advantage, but barely held a slim shots on goal edge at 6-5.
• Defense was key throughout the match and both teams played a competitively physical game from start to finish. Eastern had just five fouls compared to eight by Westmont and both squads drew a yellow card in the 90 minutes of action.
• The first half was predominantly controlled by the Warriors offense as they ripped off 10 shots, but just two came of goal. In net,
Madeline Barker was superb in her third start of the season tallying six saves and limiting ball movement on free passes in the penalty area throughout the contest.
• The Mountaineers were limited to just three shots in the first 45 minutes of play, but still managed to get two on goal. A shot in the first four minutes by
Kayla Storm was saved by goalkeeper Kailey Meyer, while the second shot on goal for EOU came in the 32nd minute by
Brooke Ford.
• Going into the halftime break, the two squads were locked in a scoreless bout and all signs pointed to a potential overtime or two. The Warriors had chances once again in the second period with 11 shots, with four coming on goal.
• Eastern continued to move the ball throughout the second period, but Westmont's defense limited the Mounties to just five shots. With just under 15 minutes left in regulation, the Mountaineers were able to strike and they had some help from the Warriors.
• A long pass to
Morgan Farrington down the far left sideline allowed her to get into a 1v1 setup with her defender. Using her height and stride advantage, Farrington got into the left side of the penalty area and was tripped up to lead to a free shot attempt.
• The foul call against the Warriors came in the 77th minute and was inside the penalty area giving Eastern the chance to end the scoreless bout. Farrington lined up the penalty kick and looked off the goalkeeper to hit the right side of the net to give the Mountaineers a 1-0 lead.
• The score remained at that for the final as Eastern handed Westmont its first loss of the 2021 season. With the win, EOU has now won each of its last three matches  this year and begins the season 1-0-0 inside Community Stadium.
Mountaineers Stat Leaders
•
Morgan Farrington had the lone goal in the win. She finished with three shots total and had one come on goal.
•
Kayla Storm posted two shots in the match and had both come on goal.
•
Yahaira Chavarria-Mondragon also had two shots in the shutout with one coming on goal.
• Goalkeeper
Madeline Barker posted her third straight shutout to improve to 3-0-0. She had six saves in the win.
For the Warriors
• Reese Davidson had a game-high five shots and had two come on goal in the loss.
• Teagan Matye tallied four shots in the start with two coming on goal.
• Amarys Machado also had multiple shots in the match with three.
• In net, Kailey Meyer racked up four saves in 90 minutes of action.
By the Numbers
10 - The Mountaineers have now won each of their last 10 home matches, dating back to the 2019 season.
1 - Eastern is now 1-1-0 all-time against Westmont following Monday's win.
3 - After starting the year 0-1-0, the Mountaineers have won three straight with all three wins coming in shutout fashion.
4 - EOU has posted a shutout in each of its last four home games, dating back to last season.
Up Next
• The Mountaineers will hit the road to begin conference play this weekend. EOU will be in Portland to take on Warner Pacific on Friday, Sept. 17 followed by Multnomah on Saturday, Sept. 18. Kickoff for both contests are scheduled for 7 p.m. PT.
FOLLOW EOU ATHLETICS
  Â
  Â
  Â