Davidson’s Overtime Goal Leads Boxers To Win Over Geoducks
Box Score
OLYMPIA, Wash. – Sophomore
McKenna Davidson (So., Kailua-Kona, Hawaii) scored the game-winning goal with less than three minutes left in the first overtime period to lead the Pacific women's soccer team, in non-conference action, to a 2-1 victory over Evergreen State on Sunday afternoon at the Evergreen Pitch.
After two shots by the Geoducks, the Boxers gained control after a foul on Evergreen.
Emily Tuffey (Jr., Valencia, Calif.) tried for the win, but was saved by Geoduck goalkeeper Kaitlin MacKenzie. Half a minute later, Davidson gathered the ball out of a crowded area and finished from six yards out past Kaitlyn MacKenzie. Davidson's goal marks her first on the season.
"The forwards were relentless in their effort," said associate head coach Dane Joseph. "It paid off with a couple of gritty goals from Kara and McKenna. Emily was unjustly denied a goal; her game has absolutely matured and she is ready to lead this team up top."
The Boxers were first in the board as the Evergreen State defense couldn't clear the ball. The Boxers shot twice before scoring their first goal.
McKenna Davidson attempted to score but was saved by MacKenzie.
Ashley Park-Hunt (Fr., Mililani, Hawaii) headed the ball towards the goal but was high. At the 27-minute mark,
Kara Lankey (Fr., La Canada, Calif.) dribbled one-on-one with the Geoduck keeper and past the defense to score her second goal of the season.
The Geoducks (0-2-0) did not give up in the second half as they tied the game up at the 66-minute mark. Sophie Krauza received the ball off a corner kick and headed the ball past Boxer keeper
Kayla Davidson.
"The momentum swung too much today from unforced errors on our part," said Dane Joseph. "We need to be a little more savvy in how we respond to the opposition pressing us."
Kayla Davidson (2-0-1) collected the victory between the pipes, tallying three saves. Evergreen's Mackenzie tallied seven saves. Pacific finished with a 17-13 advantage on shots with five coming from
McKenna Davidson and Tuffey.
"
Breezy Brookbank and
Taylor Gillespie were fantastic," said Dane Joseph. "The win couldn't have happened without them. Overall, things are coming together one piece at a time. How quickly the puzzle is finished depends on us."
"We were not our best today," said head coach
Morgan Joseph. "But at this level, it was great to see them understand the important of walking away with a result, especially away from home. We led on the box score, but we aren't finishing what we start on many occasions."
The Boxers (2-0-1) return home this week to play Northwest Christian at Lincoln Park Stadium for their final non-conference match of the season. The match will begin at 7 p.m. Live stats and webcast will be available at goboxers.com.
