Gonzaga Women’s Soccer Shutout at Home By Washington in Physical 1-0 Game
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Makayla Werner prepares to throw the ball into play against Saint Mary’s on October 12, 2024 at Luger Field. Credit: Makayla Werner/Instagram [/caption]
Gonzaga women’s soccer (2-2) was shutout for the first time this season in a 1-0 loss to the Washington Huskies (3-0-3) at Luger Field Sunday afternoon. The match’s start time was moved ahead two hours to 11 AM PT due to an impending heat advisory in the Spokane area. But the thermometer still read 90 degrees at kickoff, and it seemed the high temperatures still impacted the contest.
There was limited action in the first half in terms of prime scoring opportunities for the Zags, as they did not register a shot or even a corner kick in the first 45 minutes. It was an abnormality for a team that entered play averaging seven corner kicks a game, a mark that ranked in the top 20 in the nation. The Huskies dominated possession to begin the match, constantly pushing the Bulldogs’ midfield back and constricting the space in their opponents’ territory.
The game’s lone goal was actually scored early on in this one, off the leg of Huskies’ Jadyn Holdenreid. The Zags were caught sleeping defensively as Alex Buck fired a through ball to a cutting Holdenreid, who dribbled ahead of the rear of the defense, leaving Gonzaga keeper Michaela McCollum as the only one to beat. McCollum came out of the net and towards Holdenreid in an attempt to knock the shot away by sliding at the ball. But Holdenreid booted it past McCollum before she could reach it, knocking it squarely into the right corner of the net while leaping over the Zags’ goalie in the process. It was the first time through four games that the Bulldogs didn’t get on the board first.
The match was extremely physical and, initially, Washington imposed its will on Gonzaga. The Huskies came into play significantly out-fouling their opponents, and this game was no different, as they registered 11 fouls to the Zags’ seven. There were plenty of collisions and players on the ground, causing both benches to share words with the officials on whistle holding and allowing excessive contact between teams. GU was restrained from pushing the ball downfield or even moving their offense past the midfield line, as there were droughts when it came to seeing the Zags set up in the attacking third.
It was a good test for McCollum, who was constantly on her toes, especially early on. After logging just two saves and playing plenty of spectator in the Bulldogs’ last matchup against UIC, she matched that total in the first half vs the Huskies and recorded three saves overall.
The most obvious display of this was the denial of Gonzaga’s leading scorer, Katelyn Rigg, who had a quiet day on the pitch. UW threw multiple bodies at her throughout the game, as the backline defenders contained Rigg by passing her off and not allowing her to break away in open space. In the few instances where the Bulldogs did try to get Rigg the ball, she was immediately met by defenders and couldn’t muster a clean shot off. Rigg and Amelia Severn were each pulled off the pitch for separate short stints during the game for rest. Defender Mia Hashimoto also suffered a season-ending injury against the Flames, opening up starting opportunities for Brooke Metcalfe.
The Zags simply couldn’t run their offensive operation in the first half. Within the first 25 minutes, they tried a couple of threw balls ahead to beat the press but were called for offside each time. Things did pick up as fatigue wore in and the heat ticked up, as Gonzaga tallied its first corner kick three minutes into the second half – one of four from then on – setting the tone for a more productive period from a scoring opportunity standpoint. The Bulldogs got four shots off in the final 45 minutes, but just one was on frame.
There was tension on both sides in the second half for perhaps another goal to be scored, but it didn’t come to fruition. The Huskies’ last two games concluded in draws due to late-game defensive lapses with leads in hand. But Washington was intentional in finishing this game, refusing Gonzaga from taking a true clean shot to knot things up. Their efforts were highlighted by back-to-back Bulldog corner kicks in the final five minutes that resulted in a body block and a sailing inbound – both trickling out of play.
Gonzaga eventually upped the ante against the Huskies, but it was too little, too late. The physicalness and rough nature are needed conditions for a Bulldogs team that yearns to grow. Washington is by far the best competition the Zags have faced to this point, and things will only get more difficult as the schedule continues to unravel. GU will finish a four-game homestand against Air Force on Thursday, September 4 at 7 PM PT.
