The Puget Sound women’s soccer team collected their ninth consecutive Northwest Conference title after shutting out Pacific University 2-0 on Friday and Linfield 2-0 as well on Saturday.
By finishing the season on a 13-game undefeated streak in conference play, The Loggers improved to 14-1-1 in conference play and 17-1-2 overall. The Loggers clinched the title after their Friday victory as they needed only one this weekend to lock up the championship.
With this in mind, the team came out as the agressors against the Pacific Boxers. The Loggers scored first in the 30th minute on a goal from Senior Kelly Andersen (Centennial, Colo.). She was assisted on a beautiful cross from Junior Jenny Moore (Kent, Wash.).
Junior Theresa Henle (Issaquah, Wash.) added an unassisted goal, her 15th of the season, in the 73rd minute to extend the lead to 2-0. The two-score advantage would be plenty to get the win, as the Loggers defense held strong throughout to preserve the shutout. Freshman Casey Thayer (Boulder, Colo.) only needed one save in the net for the Loggers to hold the Boxers scoreless.
With the conference title already in their pocket, the Loggers could have relaxed against Linfield on Saturday. Apparently they didn’t get that message as Henle wasted no time posting another goal, scoring at the 8:54 mark. Freshman Laura Swanson (Eagle, Idaho) and Andersen picked up an assist on the play. The Loggers’ next goal came almost immediately as Junior Abby Goss (Spokane, Wash.) found the net for an unassisted goal just after the 10:00 mark.
Thayer made four saves on the match to earn her second shutout of the weekend in an excellent display of goaltending.
The Loggers’ solid regular season has earned them a spot in the first round of the NCAA Postseason Tournament. The Logger’s bracket will be hosted by No. 2 Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. In the first round the Loggers will face No. 6 Trinity University. The first round games will be played this coming Saturday, November 13th.