Coming off a stellar non-conference season where they went 6-1-1, the EWU women’s soccer team kept their foot on the gas pedal opening conference play with two road wins.

The Eagles took on Weber State University (4-4-1) in Ogden, Utah on Sept. 25, who were 4-4-1 heading into the matchup. Freshman Allison Raniere started the scoring in the 11th minute for the Eagles, off of an assist from freshman Devan Talley. Weber State equalized before the half with Mackenzie Harrison tying things up in the 28th minute.

Weber State played the second half with just 10 players after Joanna Matyjasik was given two yellow cards just 13 seconds apart earlier in the match, and the Eagles capitalized on the opportunity, scoring their second goal and the game-winner in the 58th minute off the foot of freshman midfielder Jenny Chavez.

“Weber State came out with a lot of energy, but we scored a great goal against the run of play on a counter-attack,” said head coach Chad Bodnar. “I thought we defended well inside the 18-yard box, and Jenny scored a good goal in the second half. Our team saw the game through and took the air out of it after the second goal. Credit to our group; we keep grinding and finding a way.”

The Eagles then traveled to Pocatello, Idaho for a match on Sept. 27 against Idaho State University, where familiar faces came up big again for EWU. It was Raniere opening up the scoring for the second straight match, scoring from five yards out in the ninth minute. The goal was her third of the year, and the second in two conference matches.

Like the match prior though, EWU’s opponent equalized before halftime, with Maria Sanchez knocking home a goal in the 31st minute. But Chavez, like the match prior, answered the call, scoring in the 57th minute off a chip pass from sophomore Savannah Hoekstra. It took just eight minutes for Idaho State to answer though, scoring in the 65th minute via Lauren Bermudez.

In the waning moments of regulation, sophomore Chloe Williams scored her eighth goal of the season after beating two defenders and putting the ball away in the back left corner for the game-winning goal. The goal was Williams’ third game-winning goal of the season — the most on the team.

“Winning two on the road to start conference play is something we’re very proud of. We had a few things go against us today in the early going, but our team fought as they have all year and scored some great goals,” said Bodnar. The eight wins match last season’s total, with EWU needing just 10 matches to do so.

What’s Next: The Eagles return home for two conference matches, against Sacramento State University (4-6 overall, 2-0 conference) on Oct. 2 at 3 p.m. and Portland State University (3-7, 1-1) on Oct. 4. at 1 p.m.