BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The No. 8 nationally-ranked Western Washington University women's soccer team put together a dominating defensive performance in a 1-0 non-conference victory over Biola University Saturday evening at Harrington Field.
Junior midfielder
Tera Ziemer scored her fourth goal in four games, recording the game-winner in the 19th minute for the only goal of the contest.
The Vikings (3-0-1) remained undefeated with their third shutout of the season and extended the Harrington Field unbeaten streak to 26 consecutive games (24-0-2). Biola dropped to 2-3-0 on the season after coming off 1-0 victory over Cal State Los Angeles earlier in the week.
WWU held a dominating 23-1 edge in shots in the 90-minute contest, not allowing the Eagles a shot on goal. The Vikings also had a 9-2 advantage in corner kicks.
"Our defense is progressing and I was proud of our effort tonight defending all the way through the roster. We had an organized and energetic effort on defense tonight," said WWU head coach
Travis Connell. "We created a lot of chances and scored enough to get a positive result. Our mantra has been to be tough on defense and to create chances, and tonight we did that."
The Vikings dominated the first half holding a 15-1 advantage in shots, and went into the break with a 1-0 lead. Ziemer, a transfer from Texas A&M, scored at the 18:46 mark, working a give-and-go with freshman forward
Ashley Nguyen, and finding the back of the net on a lofted shot from 25-yards out over the reach of the goalkeeper.
"Tera is a very talented player and has been a great addition to our team," proclaimed Connell. "We are still finding the best way to use her, and I have been really excited about the growth of her defense. Goals are of course awesome, and she does a great job putting herself in those positions, and works well with her teammates."
Biola goalkeeper Anna Boyer made five saves and Chloe Diaz was credited with the Eagles lone shot of the game.
Gallery: (9-18-2021) WS | WWU 1, Biola 0
UP NEXT
The Vikings (3-0-1) close out their three-match homestand Monday hosting No. 22 nationally-ranked Point Loma (3-0-0) in a rematch of the 2019 West Region Championship match won by WWU 1-0 at Harrington Field. Following the match vs Point Loma, WWU enters GNAC play traveling to play at Simon Fraser on Thursday (Sept. 23). The full 2021 season schedule, complete with live coverage links, can be viewed online at
wwuvikings.com/21_WSOC.
"Point Loma is a well-coached team and we look forward to the challenge Monday night," said Connell. "You have to be at your very best against a team like that to get a positive result. These are games we want to play in early in the season."
HARRINGTON FIELD SUCCESS
Since Harrington Field debuted on the south edge of the WWU campus in 2014, the Vikings are 62-2-3 (.948) playing in front of the home crowd. WWU has a current 26-game unbeaten streak (24-0-2) at Harrington Field dating back to the end of the 2017 season (last home loss - Oct. 28, 2017 vs. Concordia). Including the men's program, WWU's soccer teams have a combined record of 93-21-12 at Harrington Field (.786 winning percentage) since the on-campus facility debuted.
QUICK STATS
#8 Western Washington 1, Biola 0
Date: September 18, 2021
Field: Harrington Field Site: Bellingham, WA
Weather: 58-degrees, Breezy Attendance: 312
Goals by period 1 2 Tot
-----------------------------------------
Biola.................... 0 0 - 0
#8 Western Washington.... 1 0 - 1
SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 18:46 WWU Ziemer (A. Nguyen)
Shots: WWU 23, BU 1
Shots on Goal: WWU 6, BU 0
Saves: WWU 0 (Dierickx - 0), BU 5 (Boyer - 5)
Corners: WWU 9, BU 2
Fouls: WWU 13, BU 9
Offsides: WWU 1, BU 1
Kits: WWU (Light Blue/Navy), BU (All Red)
