Jordan Moineau found a great time to score her first goal this season as the junior's golden goal 1:45 into the second overtime gave Cal State Stanislaus women's soccer its first NCAA tournament victory Thursday night.
On paper, the more experienced, and pretty-much local Seattle Pacific Falcons seemed to have the upper-hand. However, it was the well-rested Warriors who came out on top to advance to today's second round match against host and top-seed Western Washington. Today's match is slated for a 1 p.m. start on WWU's Harrington Field.
The 2-1 victory marks the Warriors' first win during the NCAA tournament in three chances. All three tournament matches were in overtime. The feat was also remarkable since Seattle Pacific have experience on its side. The Falcons were making their 12th straight appearance with a 16-9-3 all-time record in NCAA play. SPU, which won the 2008 title, was 8-1-2 in opening round games entering the day — make that 8-2-2.
"I'm just so proud of the performance tonight. In very challenging conditions we battled a terrific opponent and came away with our first NCAA victory," Stanislaus head coach Gabriel Bolton said.
The temperature at kickoff was a freezing 32 degrees — something the Warriors certainly were not used to as they played in warm weather during the regular season.
Freshman sensation Jade Poon gave Stanislaus a 1-0 lead in the 52nd minute off of a set play. Sabrina Williamson's corner kick went off of Moineau's head 14 yards out to find Poon for the tap-in.
"That goal was absolutely spectacular. Jordan redirecting the ball to Jade and the Jade flicking it in was Sports Center worthy," said Bolton. "Katelyn and Jordan are just such creative attacking players. That was a world class pass and a great run and finish by Jordan."
Seattle Pacific, which ends the season at 12-5-3, had even the score at 84:14 on a Hannah Huesers goal off of a Shayla Page free kick to send the match into overtime.
"We showed a lot of character to battle back after giving up a late goal. We regained our composure and actually created three of the best chances in the match in the last three minutes," added Bolton.
Cal State Stanislaus nearly won the match in the final minutes of regulation time as a Poon header from the goalmouth hit the crossbar in the 87th minute and then with about 90 seconds left, a shot by Maryssa McDuffy was cleared off the line by SPU's Simone Hertzberg.
After a scoreless first OT, Moineau connected with Katelyn Nebesnick at 101:45 as she received the through ball up the middle and blasted it to the far post from about 12 yards for the winner.
The Warriors out-shot the Falcons 18-17 with a 10-6 shots on goal advantage. SPU goalkeeper Molly Stinson had to make eight saves to keep her team close. Chelsea Lewandowski had five saves for the Stanislaus side.
Seattle Pacific was the Great Northwest Athletic Conference tournament champions after edging regular-season winner Western Washington in penalty kicks last Saturday.
The WWU Vikings are the No. 1 seed in the West Region and are unbeaten this season at 16-0-4.
On the other half of the West bracket Thursday night, Cal Poly Pomona defeated Point Loma, 3-2, to advance to today's match against Cal State L.A.
