Box Score Sept. 4, 2016 Box Score | 
Post-Game Interview
BELLINGHAM, Wash. - The No. 3 Western Washington University women's soccer team recorded its first victory of the season in a 3-0 triumph over the Academy of Art Sunday afternoon in a non-conference match at Harrington Field.
WWU received all three of its goals from freshman players, with Annaliese Laurila (redshirt), Liv Larson (true freshman) and Emily Bonnell (redshirt) accounting for all of the scoring. Overall the Vikings held a 37-2 advantage in shots and 18-1 in shots on goal.
"I was happy about the performance. We worked hard and got contributions from a lot of players on our roster today," said 14th-year head coach Travis Connell. "There is a lot of competition right now on our squad - we are deep, freshman are making an impact, returners are making an impact - and that makes us a better team."
The Vikings got off to a quick start when redshirt freshman Laurila (Portland, OR/Grant) scored in the seventh minute. Laurila netted her first career goal tapping in a beautifully placed corner kick from junior midfielder Emily Webster (Bellingham, WA/Sehome).
Western held a 19-2 advantage in shots in the first half (9-1 shots on goal), but AAU goalkeeper Morgan Wirz kept the game close with eight saves (ended with 11 saves).
Larson (Arlington, WA) increased the lead early in the second half scoring in the 50th minute on a 30-yard through ball from Mariah Roggow (So., Kelso, WA/Oregon State) at the top of the penalty area and calmly finished inside the left post.
Bonnell (Kirkland, WA/Lake Washington) completed the scoring in the 81st minute on a cross from the left side by senior Erin Russell (Brier, WA/Mountlake Terrace) and headed it home from four yards out.
Junior goalkeeper Ashley Homer (Puyallup, WA/College of Saint Rose) recorded her second clean sheet in as many games as the stifling Viking defense allowed only one shot on goal in the 90 minutes.
The Vikings (1-0-1) return to action Thursday hosting Metro State at Harrington Field at 1 pm. The WWU men will also host Metro State at 4 pm in Bellingham as part of a Viking soccer doubleheader at Harrington Field.
