Sept. 13, 2003

Box Score

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Forward Ashley Jensen (So., Tacoma/Wilson) scored a pair of goals, including the game-winner with 3:26 to play, as Western Washington University defeated Western Oregon University, 4-3, in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference women's soccer game Saturday at Civic Stadium.

The Vikings, who were outshot 17-7, snapped a three-game losing streak in improving to 2-5-0 overall and 1-1-0 in the GNAC. The Wolves, who suffered their fifth consecutive defeat despite two goals by Katie Williams, fell to 1-5-0 and 0-2-0.

Jensen scored the decisive goal on a tap-in after a cross from Chela Gray (So., Kaneohe, HI/Iolani), giving Western the victory after Western Oregon had twice rallied to tie the game.

"We definitely made some mistakes on defense, but we showed a ton of heart," said Western coach Travis Connell. "We won on guts today, we didn't really play better, but we showed enough heart to win."

The Vikings took the lead less than 10 minutes into the contest as Mary Frances Buri (Fr., Gig Harbor/Peninsula) scored from 10 yards after working a series of passes with Molly Soltero (R-Fr., Sammamish/Skyline). Jensen then gave Western a 2-0 lead in the 37th minute, scoring after a feed from Lindsey Cox (So., Redmond).

Western Oregon rallied to tie the game at 2-2. Williams barged in the opening goal after a scramble in the goalmouth with 4:30 left in the first half, then 11 minutes into the second half Amy McMenamin leveled the score on a 25-yard free kick.

Western regained the lead in the 60th minute as Chrissy Wohl (So., Spokane/Lewis & Clark) converted a penalty kick, but the Wolves again tied the score less than six minutes later, Williams finishing a cross from McMenamin.

Connell said the play of midfielder Jessica Sabado (Sr., Issaquah), the only Viking senior to see action in the game, was crucial in the last 20 minutes.

"She came back on and got everyone going," Connell said. "You want your captain to do that, and she did."

The Vikings host Seattle Pacific University in a league counter Thursday at 8 p.m.

Western Oregon vs. Western WashingtonDate: 9/13/03       Attendance: 85Goals by Period     1  2  TotalWestern Oregon      1  2 -  3Western Washington  2  2  - 4SCORING SUMMARY:WWU - Mary Frances Buri (Molly Soltero), 9:40WWU - Ashley Jensen (Lindsey Cox), 36:40WOU - Katie Williams, 40:30WOU - Amy McMenamin, 56:07WWU - Chrissy Wohl (penalty kick), 60:25WOU - Williams (McMenamin), 66:13WWU - Jensen (Chela Gray), 86:34Shots: WOU 17, Western 7Corner Kicks: WOU 5, Western 6Saves: WOU 1 (Amanda Nelson 1), Western 7 (Teresa Fish 7)