LA GRANDE, Ore. – Eastern Oregon women's soccer struck early and held off a second-half push from the University of Providence to earn a 3-2 win Friday afternoon at Community Stadium. With the victory, the Mountaineers improved to 11-4-1 overall and 8-2-0 in Cascade Collegiate Conference play.
EOU jumped out to a fast start, scoring twice in the opening 17 minutes. Peyton Jacaway opened the scoring just 1:55 into the match with an unassisted strike—her sixth goal of the season. After the Argos equalized just one minute later,
Gracie Rainsberry regained the lead for the Mountaineers in the 17th minute, finishing a setup from
Karina DeYoung.
Eastern Oregon added a goal early in the second half, as Ava Henkemeyer netted her fourth goal of the season in the 47th minute. Providence responded quickly with a goal from Andriah Watson in the 48th, but the EOU defense held steady the rest of the way.
Henkemeyer led the Mountaineers with seven shots, six on target, while Jacaway and Rainsberry each tallied a goal on one shot on frame. Eastern Oregon outshot Providence 20-10 and held a 13-5 edge in shots on goal.
Goalkeeper Hannah Krantz earned her first collegiate win in net, making three saves and playing all 90 minutes. Providence goalkeeper Jennifer Alvillar made 10 saves after entering in the seventh minute.
Eastern Oregon will close out the regular season on the road next weekend at Northwest University.