Bekah Gonzalez provides 1st Goal of Season in Women's Soccer Draw at La Verne
LA VERNE, Calif. – The University of Dallas women's soccer team finished the 2018 season opener at University of La Verne in a 1-1 draw on Saturday night. After a scoreless first half, Bekah Gonzalez (Reno, Nev.) banged in the Crusaders lone goal early in the second. An equalizer from La Verne's Andrea Story at the 66:03 minute mark tied things, and neither side could get the deciding goal the rest of the way.
La Verne held a 17-4 advantage in shot attempts, but only placed five on goal. The guests managed four shots – with three in the second stanza – but had three on goal.
Gonzalez put UD on the board with her first collegiate goal at the 46:55 minute mark. It was the third shot of the game, as classmate Hailey Hurlburt (Lumberton, Texas) had just missed high a couple seconds prior. Mason Cosgrove (Las Cruces, N.M.) and Whitney Jackson (Pryor, Okla.) also tallied a shot on target in the match. Jackson's effort came at the 53:50 minute mark and was the last attempt for Dallas.
The defense held firm for the Crusaders for 66 minutes until Story changed things on a goal for the home team. The Leopards finished the frame with six attempts for most in a half.
Dallas goalkeeper Olivia Severson (La Crosse, Wis.) allowed the goal, but held things down the remainder of play. The junior totaled 65 minutes – including both 10-minute periods past regulation.
The Leopards attempted the only shot in the first overtime, but piled on five more in the second overtime. Three attempts came early on as the best look was by Cambria Smith in the 105th minute. Severson thwarted the game-winning attempt with a save. Two more shots happened later in the stanza, with Story lifting a header high in the final two-minute span.
Natalie Kutac (Bulverde, Texas) started in goal for Dallas and made her career debut. She posted a pair of saves in 45 minutes.
Jasmine Valadez also notched two saves in goal for La Verne, as she went all 110 minutes.
The last time the Crusaders played an opening match that went to overtime was in 2014, a 3-2 double overtime setback to Concordia University. Dallas faced Concordia as well in the last season opener that finished in a draw, which was a scoreless result in 2008. Both of those matches were played in Irving.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Final: #UDWS ties La Verne in season opener. Bekah Gonzalez tallied lone goal for #UDCrusaders! #WeAreUD #d3soc pic.twitter.com/LpWhLbeTx2
— UDallas Athletics (@UDallasSports) September 2, 2018
UP NEXT
Dallas concludes the California road trip at Whittier College tomorrow at 11 a.m. (PST).