Box Score Oct. 2, 2014 Box Score
BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Delanee Nilles (Jr., Poulsbo/North Kitsap) scored in the sixth minute of overtime to keep nationally ranked Western Washington University undefeated with a 1-0 victory over Simon Fraser University in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference women's soccer contest on Thursday, Oct. 2, at Robert S. Harrington Field on the WWU campus.
WWU, rated No.22 in this week's National Soccer Coaches Association of America NCAA Division II Top 25 Poll, improved to 8-0-1 overall and 4-0-1 in the GNAC. It was the 17th consecutive home triumph for the Vikings, a streak dating from the start of the 2013 season.
SFU, which had a two-game winning streak snapped, fell to 2-7-0 overall and 2-3-0 in conference play.
Western's goal came after Sierra Shugarts (Fr., Federal Way/Decatur) played a long ball deep into the penalty area. Jessica Bertucci (Jr., Bellingham/Sehome) cut in front of SFU goalkeeper Priya Sandhu to knock down the ball, then retrieved it and played a back heel to Nilles, who hit a low shot inside the left post for the game winner.
"Jessica is creative playmaker," said WWU coach Travis Connell (12th year, 149-61-21). "You need players like that to change the game, and that's what she did with that back heel to Delanee."
The Vikings had a massive 29-1 advantage in shot attempts in shutting out the Clan for the ninth consecutive meeting. SFU did not have a shot on target, and no attempts at all in the last 88 minutes.
"Overall, that's one of the best games we've played all year," said Connell. "We kept the tempo high and created chances against a well-organized defense, and we've only allowed a total of three shots on target the last three games. That's the kind of defense we want to be playing.
WWU has allowed just two goals this season, one an own goal
The game completed a three-game home stand for WWU, which will be at Montana State Billings on Saturday, Oct. 4 (1 p.m.) for a GNAC contest.
Thursday, Oct. 2, 2014Bellingham, Wash. - Harrington Field, WWU Campus
Western Washington 1, Simon Fraser 0 Overtime
Scoring - 1. WWU, Delanee Nilles (Jessica Bertucci, Sierra Shugarts), 23:15
Shots - WWU 29, SFU 1Saves - WWU 0 (Ashley Haden 0); SFU 8 (Priya Sandhu 7, Team 1)Corner kicks - WWU 12, SFU 1Fouls - WWU 3, SFU 5Attendance: 245
