Sunday, November 17, 2013

PORTLAND, Ore. - For the second time in her career Stephanie Hamilton scored a game-winning goal in the Division II women's soccer West Region playoffs, as No. 9 Western Washington earned a solid 2-0 victory over Seattle Pacific Saturday afternoon on the campus of Whatcom Community College in Bellngham, Wash.

After 30 minutes of play, Hamilton got WWU on the board first as she received a drop pass from Elise Aylward at the top of the box. Hamilton drove home a left-footed shot from 14 yards out to give the Vikings the lead.

Neither team scored for the remainder of the first half, though SPU put a pair of shots on target that required saves from Viking goalkeeper Alyssa Beauchamp within the final 10 minutes.

WWU kept the Falcons' offense silent to start the second, as a header shot by Laura Moore in the 47th minute was all SPU would get through the next 20 minutes of play. In a last ditch effort, the Falcons' Kaylie Winston placed a shot on frame in the 85th minute, but Beauchamp handled it to keep WWU in front. Anna Geldenhuys ended any doubt three minutes later, as she found the net from seven yards out to push WWU in front for good 2-0.

On the game, WWU outshot SPU 17-9, placing seven shots on target compared to the Falcons' four. It was Western Washington's third victory over Seattle Pacific this season, as the Vikings twice beat SPU in the GNAC regular season before losing a penalty kick shootout to the Falcons after a 1-1 draw in the 2013 GNAC Championship Tournament.

WWU will host Cal State San Bernardino, the winner of the other West Region semifinal, in the finals in Bellingham, Wash. on Nov. 21 or 22.