GREAT FALLS, Mont. – A set piece in the first half was all the separated Lady Argo soccer from Eastern Oregon on the scoreboard, with UGF losing to EOU 1-0. A deeper look at the numbers, particularly shots, which fell 19-4 in EOU's favor, tells a different story. The Mountaineers were the aggressor for much of the game, but UGF had both its share of long possessions and scoring chances though none turned into goals.
The first 20 minutes of the game played out much as the rest of 90 minutes would, with EOU attacking and threatening without creating many truly great scoring chance and UGF occasionally answering back on the counterattack. What made those first 20 minute standout, however, was a set piece taken by the Mountaineers in the 14th minute.
A UGF handball right outside the Lady Argo's penalty box set up an agonizingly close free kick for EOU. Mountaineer Chelsey Nicol placed the kick over the wall and dropped it to the near post for the team's only goal.
While the Lady Argos weren't able to manufacture many shots over the next 75 minutes, that didn't mean they weren't able to create scoring opportunities. UGF's counterattack had a number of moments that were one more pass, one less touch, or slightly better timing away from being a real danger to tie up the game.
The team's best look at an equalizer came with under 10 minutes to go. UGF freshman Eme McLaughlin connected on a bouncing ball inside the penalty box but with a relatively shallow angle, the shot was saved by the EOU keeper.
UGF's defense played an excellent game against a powerful EOU offense, which includes sophomore Zoe Anderson who was an NAIA Honorable Mention All-American as a freshman. Despite the constant pressure from the Mountaineers, the Lady Argos were able to break up plays just before they became dangerous.
Junior center back Grace Ibsen was particularly noticeable with a number of just-in-time tackles and strong play to knock attackers off the ball. Redshirt junior goalkeeper Kyra Dorvall was the last line in that defense that didn't allow an open play goal, finishing the contest with 7 saves.
The loss brings UGF's record to 0-6 (0-3) on the season. UGF will look for its first win of the season tomorrow against Warner Pacific at 4 p.m. on Argo Field.
