Boxers Can’t Finish Second Half Chances In Loss To Pios
Box Score
FOREST GROVE – The Pacific women's soccer team shot nine times in the second half, but could not capitalize on their opportunities, coming up short in 3-2 loss to Lewis & Clark on a sunny Saturday afternoon in Northwest Conference action at Lincoln Park Stadium.
"It was a heartbreaker for sure," said head coach
Morgan Joseph. "We played a phenomenal second half and deserved so much more from that game."
The Pioneers were first on the board, scoring the first goal in the 16
th minute mark. In a scrambled box, Marissa Sandgren took control of the ball and finished from inside the box past Boxer keeper
Kayla Davidson (Sr., Kailua-Kona, Hawaii). Nine minutes later, the Pios would take a 2-0 lead. Anna Thorndike shot from outside of the 18-yard box and into the bottom left corner of the goal.
The Boxer cut the Pio lead to one in the 27
th minute.
Kara Lankey (Fr., La Canada, Calif.) scored her eighth goal of the season. She shot from inside the box to the right side of the goal, past Lewis & Clark's goalkeeper Geena Fong.
"Kara's assist and goal continue to show why she is, in my opinion, the best striker in the league," said associate head coach Dane Joseph. "McKenna, Emily, and
Ashley Park-Hunt were all brilliant today."
Kamryn Plechot (Jr., La Palma, Calif.) tied the match at 2-2 in the 73
rd minute. The Boxers earned a corner kick, which was taken by Lankey. She footed the ball into the crowded goal box and found Plechot who headed the ball to the back of the net. The goal marks her second on the season.
The Pioneers came back in the 86
th minute and scored the game-winning goal. Emilia Emmetti crossed to Isobel Fikso who headed the ball to the back of the net past Davidson.
With under 30 second left to play in the game, the Boxers had one last opportunity.
McKenna Davidson (So., Kailua-Kona, Hawaii) tried to score, but the ball was saved by Pioneer goalkeeper Geena Fong.
Breezy Brookbank (Fr., Burien, Wash.),
Lucy Almao (Fr., Orange County, Calif.), and Lankey all had opportunities to score, but the ball was save by Fong.
"I am pleased with the way we responded from 2-0 down to dominate the second half," said Dane Joseph. "They truly are a special bunch. But we can't score 2 at home and give up 3 - and have all 3 be massive defensive errors. Back to the drawing board."
Davidson (5-2-2) took the loss for the Boxers between the pipes, tallying a season-high 10 saves. Lankey led the Boxers with five of the Boxers' 13 shots. Fong collected the win in the goal for the Pioneers, collecting eight saves.
The Boxers drop to 6-2-2 overall and 3-2-1 in the Northwest Conference. Lewis & Clark improves to 6-2-1 overall and 3-1-1 in the NWC. The Boxers will travel to Willamette next Saturday. The match will start at noon.
