LA GRANDE, Ore. – Eastern Oregon University Women's Soccer opened the 2026 Cascade Collegiate Conference season in dominant fashion Friday afternoon, cruising to a 6-0 victory over Walla Walla University behind a hat trick from freshman
Kardyn Martinez.
The Mountaineers controlled the match from the opening whistle, recording two shots in the first two minutes and immediately putting pressure on the Walla Walla defense. Just four minutes into the match, Eastern nearly took the lead when
Samantha Jones slipped the ball past the WWU defense and goalkeeper Allanah Rodriguez, but the goal was called back for offsides. EOU continued to control possession and pressure the Wolves, earning the first corner kick of the match. Freshman
Samantha Gjersvold delivered the corner, finding freshman
Kardyn Martinez, who headed the ball into the right side of the net for the first goal of her collegiate career.
The Mountaineers quickly earned two more corner kicks, with Rodriguez making a save on one opportunity and
Gracie Rainsberry narrowly missing off the crossbar. Eastern's defense continued to limit Walla Walla's opportunities while keeping possession in the Wolves' half. In the 13th minute,
Cassidy Harding doubled the Mountaineers' lead with her third goal of the season, again assisted by Gjersvold.
The EOU offense continued to apply pressure, recording six more shots over the next 15 minutes while keeping Walla Walla away from the net. In the 29th minute, Martinez struck again, finishing a corner kick from
Gracie Rainsberry for her second goal of the afternoon and giving the Mountaineers a 3-0 advantage. Eastern added two more corner kicks and three shots in the final minutes of the first half while allowing just two shots from the Wolves.
Elysa Morse made a save to preserve the 3-0 lead heading into halftime.
The Mountaineers wasted no time extending their advantage after the break. Just 19 seconds into the second half,
Kenzie Snell found the back of the net off an assist from Harding to make it 4-0. Harding nearly added another goal less than a minute later, but Rodriguez came up with the save. Harding recorded three more shots, while Gjersvold added another before finding the back of the net herself for her second goal of the season, extending EOU's lead to 5-0.
The Mountaineers continued to pour on the pressure throughout the second half, firing shot after shot and forcing Rodriguez into multiple saves. Walla Walla managed just one shot during the remainder of the match. Martinez capped the afternoon in style, completing her hat trick with her third goal of the day. Once again, the freshman capitalized on a corner kick from Rainsberry to give EOU a 6-0 lead and secure the Mountaineers' opening CCC victory. The hat trick marked the first for an Eastern Oregon player since 2021 and came in Martinez's first career CCC match.
Eastern Oregon dominated the match statistically, finishing with 36 total shots, including 19 on goal. Rodriguez was tested throughout the afternoon, making 13 saves for Walla Walla. The Mountaineer defense held the Wolves to just four total shots and two shots on goal. EOU also held a 9-2 advantage in corner kicks.
The Mountaineers will return to action Sunday, September 20th, hosting Warner Pacific University at 10:30 a.m. in Community Stadium.
