Women’s soccer outlasted the Humboldt State University Lumberjacks 1-0 Friday afternoon at Kellogg Stadium. The win pushed the Broncos’ overall record to 9-3-2 and 5-1-2 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) conference.
“I was extremely proud of the girls. It was (a) hot (day) and we played a team who is fighting for a playoff spot …. I know we were a little frustrated with some of our last results as far as creating chances, controlling the tempo of the game and I thought today we did a great job (with) that,” head coach Jay Mason said.
The Broncos’ dominance was evident through the entire match and as a result they outshot the Jacks, with 15 total shots, seven of which were on target. On the other hand, the Jacks only put up one shot in the match, which came in the second half.
“Soccer is a cruel sport. You can put up 50 shots and sometimes it just doesn’t fall your way,” Mason said. “So, today it was encouraging to see the players’ behavior, their intensity and the effort that they have to create those opportunities and to trust the process ….”
After back-to-back ties at home, the Broncos came out hungrier for a win more than ever and that was shown early in the game with two different shots. The first shot came two minutes in, when freshman forward Cassie Snow shot to the top left corner of the goal but it was saved by the Jacks’ goalkeeper.
Following the freshman’s attempt, the Broncos went on to have three more shots in the first half but the Jacks’ goalkeeper saves denied the Broncos. The Broncos’ dominance in the first half was clear, as they had possession of the ball for most of the time and didn’t allow the Jacks to have a shot.
To start the second half, the Broncos continued attacking and had back-to-back shots in the first three minutes. The first attempt came from junior midfielder Allison Hung. And then following Hung was senior forward/midfielder Amanda Duran, whose shot went out right of the Jacks’ goal.
The Jacks’ only shot of the match came during minute 55, after a counter-attack that almost caught the Broncos’ defense off guard. Fortunately for the Broncos the ball went out right of the goal.
Minutes later, junior forward Taylor Scott almost got the Broncos on the scoreboard, after taking a shot that hit the left woodwork. Six minutes later, Duran once again had an opportunity to score the first goal for the Broncos but was denied by the Jacks’ goalkeeper.
“I think I played well. Today just wasn’t my day; I hit the post twice, but overall I think I did well,” Scott said. “I just have to get better on the defending side, but overall a good game from everyone.”
During the 78th minute, the Broncos finally broke through, thanks to a goal from Duran. The goal came after the senior dribbled down the right flank and crossed the ball that resulted in a shot, which the Jacks goalkeeper wasn’t able to grab despite her attempt.
“The goal means a lot because coming back from the injury has been hard,” Duran said.
After the Broncos finally broke through the Jacks’ defense, the Broncos did not take the foot off the gas and continued with the possession of the ball that led to back-to-back shots. During the final minutes of the match, the Broncos, in an attempt for a second goal, had two shots from senior forward Ambria Pogue and senior forward Sydney Yates, but the Jacks’ goalkeeper saved both.
On Sunday, the Broncos defeated the San Francisco State Gators 4-0 at Kellogg Stadium.
In the first half, junior midfielder Jessica Llamas scored the first goal for the Broncos. The goal was followed by junior midfielder Allison Hung who found the back of the net in the 38th minute.
In the second half, the Broncos tacked on two more goals. Sophomore midfielder Jazmin Duran scored the third goal of the afternoon, before Scott blasted in another in the 62nd minute.
The Broncos’ conference record now stands at 6-1-2, with an overall record of 10-3-2.
The Broncos return to action Friday afternoon at 7 p.m. when they face Cal State East Bay at Kellogg Stadium.