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PORTALES, N.M. (Sept. 10) -- Junior
Danielle Brandli (Bellevue/Interlake HS) scored a pair of goals, including the game-winner in the 99th minute, as the Central Washington University women's soccer team rallied to defeat Eastern New Mexico University, 2-1 in overtime on Tuesday afternoon.
The Wildcats finished their season-opening road trip with a 1-2-0 record, while Eastern New Mexico fell to 1-2-0 on the season with Tuesday's loss.
Brandli, who had scored just two goals in 38 career games prior to Tuesday, tied the game at the 52nd minute on a pass from junior
Savanna Moorehouse (Bonney Lake). She then tallied the game-winner with 1:41 left in the first overtime period, again taking a pass from Moorehouse and beating Zias goalkeeper Alyxandra Ortiz in a 1-versus-1 situation.
"We did a great job coming back from a one-goal deficit," CWU head coach
Michael Farrand said. "Savanna did a great job setting up opportunities for Danielle, and it was good to see we were able to take advantage of those chances."
After falling behind in the first half on a goal by Brook Serrano at the 24th minute, CWU turned up its attack in the second half and held Eastern New Mexico without many offensive chances after halftime. In fact, the Wildcats outshot the Zias 10-0 in the second half, and then added five shot attempts in the eight-plus minutes of overtime.
"We had a lot of chances, and some near-misses," Farrand continued. "We were fortunate to be able to dominate the second half and overtime and to be able to conclude our road trip with a win."
The goals by Brandli snapped a season-opening streak of better than 230 minutes without a goal. CWU lost its first two games by scores of 2-0 and 1-0 at Adams State (Colo.) and New Mexico Highlands, respectively.
On the defensive end of the field, junior goalkeeper
Kayla Lipston (Federal Way/Decatur HS) made three saves -- all in the first half.
Moorehouse was credited with nine of the Wildcats' season-high 18 shot attempts, while Brandli added three.
CWU will now return home and prepare for Great Northwest Athletic Conference play. The Wildcats will open conference play with their home debut on Sept. 19 against Saint Martin's University at 4 p.m. at the CWU Soccer Field.