CHENEY, Wash. – The Eastern Washington University women's soccer team hosted Northern Colorado today (Oct. 15) and dropped the decision to 1-0 at the EWU Soccer Field in Cheney, Wash. A late second half goal in the 87^th minute provided the Bears with the win over the Eagles.  

"We worked really hard to have a complete 90-minute performance. We outshot UNC up until the final two minutes and I felt we had more quality chances on the day. At halftime, we talked about this being a game of inches, and it is just a devastating last minute goal. It's tough to know we played very well and to have a lot of quality on the day and not come out with the result we wanted," said head coach Missy Strasburg. "As a team, we feel very strong. It isn't about ability or tactics but about adjusting our mentality for that extra effort in sports that gain you that few inches you need. We are challenging our players to have that mentality and challenging the players who do have it to be make it contagious with the rest of the group. Sunday will be a big match, and our expectations are if you are dressed up then you are committed to putting that extra effort in for the full day."

EWU showed their intent early on with three consecutive uncontested shots beginning with a brilliant curler headed towards the upper seven that bruised the woodwork and flew out for a corner from Brittany Delridge. Following the Eagle corner, Madison Kem found space to shoot a cheeky ball just inches past the right post.

EWU goalkeeper Kelsee Winston would be called to action just once in the first half, making a comfortable left bottom save in the 35^th minute. However, the Eagles responded with three more consecutive shots before the end of the first half starting with Kem in the 41^st minute that was deflected out of bounds, Gillian Martin in the 43^rd who slung her shot just past the left post and Corina Froehle in the 45^th who missed just inches wide.

A huge defensive effort led by senior captain Winston helped the Eagles gain some momentum throughout the second half, but not before EWU took five consecutive shots to begin the second 45 minutes. Efforts by Grace Terrill, Martin, Maddie Morgan and Brooke Flores, respectively, all threatened the Bears defensive side, but UNC goalkeeper Ashley Franza was in the way to prevent any shots into the net.

In the 66^th minute, after a string of EWU passes leading towards goal, Morgan took a crack at the net after cutting through two defenders to find space just outside the 18-yard box, forcing Franza to come up with a crucial save.

With time running out, Northern Colorado would capitalize after the ball was slotted in by Hailey Collier to Taylor Bray which went just past Winston into the net in the 87^th minute.

Following the late score, UNC held on to claim a hard-fought 1-0 victory.

WIN-LOSS RECORDS: After today's deficit, EWU moves to 3-4 in Big Sky Conference play and holds a 5-10 overall record. Northern Colorado improves to 8-6-2 overall and 6-0 in league play.

TOP PERFORMANCES: Maddie Morgan took three shots, landing two on target. Gillian Martin, Madison Kem and Grace Terrill each took two shots during the match.

Goalkeeper Kelsee Winston converted on three saves in 90 minutes in the goal.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE: Eastern Washington took 12 shots, with two on target versus Northern Colorado's 13 shots in which four landed on frame.

The Eagles forced the Bears to make two saves versus EWU's three, and Eastern also took one corner kick while UNC took three.

UP NEXT: Eastern Washington returns to action this Sunday, Oct. 17 to host Montana at the EWU Soccer Field at 1 p.m. Pacific time.

Fans can catch the match versus the Griz live on ESPN+ or follow via the LIVE STATS HERE.