GREAT FALLS, Mont. – Senior Day brought a much needed conference win for the Lady Argos. Sophomore midfield Alejandra Guzman's two goals and one assists lead the way to a 4-1 UGF win over Evergreen State College.
"The team played well today," UGF head coach Brian Clarke said. "I was happy to see us get goals from different players. It was a nice way to honor our seniors and finish strong at home."
The game started with a nice moment as UGF senior captain Killian Gilreath, who is currently on crutches, started the match at forward and was subbed off after the ball was immediately kicked out of bounds.
Gilreath's substitute was Guzman who made an impact early, using her speed and skill to attack the ESC goal. Her and freshman forward Sarah Howell combined well early and that duo brought the game's first score.
A Howell cross from the right wing found its way past the Geoducks defense and to the foot of Guzman who took a touch, shot, and gave UGF a lead in the seventh minute.
The Argonauts continued to look like the better team until a gorgeous shot from Geoduck defender Jasmine Berlin came from outside the box to beat senior keeper Brandi Wegerle. That play cooled down the Lady Argos for the next few minutes.
When UGF earned a corner kick in the 31st minute it felt rather unassuming, as the team has struggled to create scoring chances from set pieces this season but Guzman changed that. The corner from senior captain Lauren Ozdowski found the sophomore at the back post and Guzman's header beat the Geoduck keeper.
The goal was the third in the last two days for Guzman, who scored an equalizer that forced a double overtime tie the previous day against Northwest University.
Despite already having her team's game winner against ESC, Guzman wasn't done. This time she put someone else on the scoring end. Her cross in the 36th minute found junior forward Jessica Watts for another header goal that extended the UGF lead to 3-1.
The Geoducks did respond after finding themselves down two goals. They forced Wegerle to making two saves in the first half and earned two corner kicks, but UGF outshot them 15-5 in the first half.
Already up two, the Argos played a more defensive game in the second half as ESC turned up their offensive pressure in hopes of a comeback. The Geoducks outshot UGF in the second half and took four corner kicks but nothing got back Wegerle and the UGF defense.
The 75th minute brought a fourth UGF goal and a second from an Ozdowski corner kick. This time the senior's set piece found sophomore forward Madison Quinn. Quinn had little time to react as the ball slipped through two ESC defenders and used her hip to deflect the ball into the net.
The final 15 minutes comprised of the UGF defense holding off the Geoduck attack to earn the Argos their second win in the Cascade Collegiate Conference.
That victory brings UGF to 5-3-4 (2-3-3) on the season and in striking distance of a spot in the CCC playoffs. A win for Great Falls in their next match, an October 23 meeting at Oregon Tech at 7 p.m., would put the team in playoff position.
