Saturday, November 4, 2017

PORTLAND, Ore. – For the third year in a row, No. 12 Western Washington forward Gabriela Pelogi tallied the game-winning goal to give the Vikings their third-straight GNAC title with a 1-0 double-overtime victory over No. 17 Concordia in the GNAC Women’s Soccer Championships, held at Concordia’s Tuominen Yard.

After the teams played to a 0-0 tie through the first 100 minutes, Pelogi followed up a saved shot by Emily Webster to record the golden goal in the 104th minute. It is the third time that Pelogi has scored the game-winner in the GNAC Championships in as many years.

Avenging its 2-0 loss against the Cavaliers last weekend, the Vikings outshot Concordia 21-10 en route to their sixth-straight Division II NCAA West Regional berth.

With Western Washington earning the automatic bid to the Division II West Regionals, Concordia awaits its fate, as it hopes to be one of the eight West Region teams selected for postseason play during Monday’s NCAA selection show at 3:30 p.m. (PST).

Despite being limited to two shots on goal in the first half, the Vikings best opportunities came off the foot of Pelogi and forward Karli White. Beating her defender for pace, Pelogi swept her effort wide after she was presented with a breakaway opportunity against Concordia goalkeeper Anna Miller in the 13th minute.

Just four minutes later, White collected the ball atop the Cavaliers’ box, only to see her snapshot toward the near post smothered by Miller.

The Vikings dominated the ball during the opening period, outshooting Concordia 10-0. Concordia defender Katie Greene picked up the only yellow card of the half.

Concordia fired its first shot of the match seven minutes into the second half. After marching into the box, Cavs’ midfielder Gabrielle Ewing saw her chance fly wide of the right post.

Presented with another opportunity from 18-yards out in the 53rd minute, White attempted a left-footed strike toward Miller’s near post, only to be denied by the Cavs’ netminder for the second time in the match. Just five minutes later, White was stymied once again, as her one-on-one effort was turned away for a corner kick, this time by the foot of Miller.

Flying on a counter attack at the 58:24 mark, Concordia midfielder Brenda Uribe found herself with a golden opportunity to put the Cavs on the scoresheet. Through on goal against Western Washington goalkeeper Ashley Homer, Uribe poked her shot slightly wide.

With a little over 97 minutes played in the first overtime period, Ewing gathered the ball atop the box, taking a couple of touches before seeing her shot blocked by a Sierra Shugarts last-ditch tackle.

Miller ended the afternoon with five saves while Homer turned away two. Coming close on a few occasions, White led the Vikings with eight shots while Ewing finished with a team-high four shots.

The Vikings’ win snaps Concordia’s 14-game unbeaten streak and is the first time the Cavs have fell to a GNAC opponent all season.

Western Washington picks up its 13th shutout this year. In last year’s postseason, the Vikings outscored its opponents 14-3 en route to their first Division II national championship in program history.