Beavers Shut Out Gonzaga, 2-0
Henderson, Monka net goals in win as Beavers record third shutout in first four games.

Sept. 8, 2002

Box Score

CORVALLIS, Ore. - -

The Oregon State women's soccer team notched a 2-0 shutout of Gonzaga on Sunday at Lorenz Field on goals by Katie Henderson and Brianna Monka, improving OSU's record to 2-1-1 on the year and giving the Beavers a 10-0 lead in the all-time series with the Bulldogs (1-3-0).

Despite constant pressure on the GU defense, it wasn't until the 78th minute that the Beavers broke a 0-0 deadlock with Henderson's score. The senior took a tap pass from Jillian Nicks off a Lindsey Beem free kick and put it into the lower right corner for a 1-0 advantage at 78:35.

Less than four minutes later, OSU broke through again with Monka's first career score in the left corner off a dish from freshman Stacey Mescher. Mescher made a run through the middle and slipped a pass to Monka after losing her footing; Monka, a freshman, sent the shot in from 15 yards out.

OSU's scores came after starting GU keeper Ashley Haugen was sidelined after knocking heads in a collision at the 66:56 mark while going up for a corner kick. Haugen saved seven shots up to that point.

Normally a midfielder, Patty Blankenship was inserted in goal due to the fact that backup keeper Brooke Longacre did not make the trip.

The Beavers offered a dominating performance throughout the day, controlling the pace of play and outshooting Gonzaga 25-2. The second half saw OSU launch 19 shots.

The defensive performance was equal to that of the offense, as senior keeper Jo Fletcher and the defense recorded their third shutout in the first four games, equaling last year's shutout total.

OSU's score could have been higher, as the Beavers had a flurry of quality shots over roughly a five-minute span midway through the second half. Courtney Carter came the closest to scoring, putting a header off a cross from Henderson off the crossbar in the 59th minute.

"I felt we had a totally dominating performance from the first minute to the last minute," OSU head coach Steve Fennah said. "It never looked in danger, but we would have liked to score a little sooner. We missed chances, so we still have to tighten up on that, but in terms of how we want to play and move the ball around, it was a first-class performance."

"The first goal came when Jill laid the free kick back to Katie with a nice bounce and Katie finished it well.

"The second goal was a nice bit of attacking play by Mescher. When she ran out of space, she got a toe on it and poked it through. Brianna was able to turn and smack it hard and low in the corner. It was a great strike.

Henderson's score gives her 46 points and 18 goals for her career, moving her into a tie for sixth on OSU's career points and goals lists.

"Katie obviously has the ability to score goals," Fennah said. "She gets herself in the right place at the right time, and she shows composure in there.

"It's a lesson for any kid who wants to be a goal scorer, just put yourself in the right general area and put the ball in the frame."

Corvallis native Cara Miller made her first career start as a freshman, replacing Mandy Melendez at the center back position while Melendez served a one-game suspension for her red card in OSU's 1-0 win over Hawaii on Friday night.

"I thought Cara Miller stepped in and had a very good performance at center back, and I think as a unit, they all stepped their games up a little bit," Fennah said. "They made things happen."

OSU is back in action on Sept. 13, when the Beavers travel to Long Beach State for a non-conference match. OSU then faces Cal-Santa Barbara on Sunday.

OREGON STATE 2, GONZAGA 0

Gonzaga 0 0 - 0

Oregon State 0 2 - 2

Scoring:

OSU - Katie Henderson (Lindsey Beem, Jillian Nicks), 78:35.

OSU - Brianna Monka (Stacey Mescher), 82:31.

Summary:

SHOTS: GU 2, OSU 25; CORNERS: GU 2, OSU 4; SAVES: GU 9, OSU 1; FOULS: GU 14, OSU 18.

Cautions:

OSU - Liz Money, 69:59.

OSU - Lindsey Beem, 89:10.







Shop at the Beaver FANStore!