Griz soccer advances to Big Sky tournament
11/6/2002 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
The five seniors on the University of Montana's women's soccer team said goodbye to South Campus Soccer Field and hello to the Big Sky Conference tournament with a 1-0 victory over the Eastern Washington University Eagles Friday.
"A win is the best way to send them off," head coach Besty Duerksen said.
Decked out in crowns, leis and other decorations, but also bundled up in layers of sweats to battle the freezing weather, the seniors received longer introductions and met their parents at midfield for the national anthem. Defenders McKenzie Zajonc and Brianna Hitchcock hugged every player as they went down the team line. Zajonc was accompanied onto the field by juniors Nikki Bolstad and Bemoni Alidjani.
Erin Smith, Courtney Blakely and Liz Roberts also played in their last game at South Campus Soccer Field.
"I just wanted to play well," Hitchcock said. "This was the last time I was going to be on this field, and I wanted to show well."
Center midfielder Roberts bade farewell to her home field when she scored the Grizzlies lone goal of the game in the 75th minute. From almost 40 yards out, Zajonc launched a high pass that found Roberts near the far post on the left side. With her left foot, Roberts was able to drill a shot past the Eastern Washington goalkeeper, Jonna Melton.
"It was nice to get a win for the last game for sure," Roberts said. "I really had a good time today; I think we all did."
The seniors were not too concerned with it being their last home game. Instead the seniors celebrated the much-needed win, which boosted their conference record to 4-1-1 and their overall record to 8-9-1. It was also a win that would have made Montana the host of the conference tournament if Idaho State had lost.
However, Idaho State became the regular-season champions by beating Weber State and will host the conference tournament. It has been two years since the Grizzlies hosted the tournament.
Zajonc and Roberts both ended the regular season with three goals each. Hitchcock netted two, and Smith finished with one.
"We definitely improved on things that we were trying to improve on," Roberts said. "I think we're looking good going into the tournament now."
Duerksen said the Grizzlies improved on maintaining possession of the ball. Proof of that was Montana's 18 shots to Eastern Washington's six.
Duerksen said in the past, the Eagles, who are 3-3 in the conference, have been a tough team to score on.
"We knew we had played a good first half," Durksen said. "We knew that we needed to keep doing what we were doing, and it would probably happen for us."
Forward Tara Schwager almost made it happen for the Grizzlies in the first 35 minutes, but her goal was called back on an offsides call.
"Our kids really executed well," Duerksen said. "And as usual, I think the defensive back five was just solid."
It was the sixth shutout for the Grizzly defense and goalkeeper Sarah Braseth. Braseth had five saves in the win.
Montana has not allowed any of the three teams it will face in the tournament - Idaho State, Portland State and Eastern Washington - to score.
During various times throughout the game the five Grizzly seniors took the field together to help grab the win.
"I'm going to miss hanging out with these guys almost every day," Hitchcock said. "They've become some of my best friends."
"A win is the best way to send them off," head coach Besty Duerksen said.
Decked out in crowns, leis and other decorations, but also bundled up in layers of sweats to battle the freezing weather, the seniors received longer introductions and met their parents at midfield for the national anthem. Defenders McKenzie Zajonc and Brianna Hitchcock hugged every player as they went down the team line. Zajonc was accompanied onto the field by juniors Nikki Bolstad and Bemoni Alidjani.
Erin Smith, Courtney Blakely and Liz Roberts also played in their last game at South Campus Soccer Field.
"I just wanted to play well," Hitchcock said. "This was the last time I was going to be on this field, and I wanted to show well."
Center midfielder Roberts bade farewell to her home field when she scored the Grizzlies lone goal of the game in the 75th minute. From almost 40 yards out, Zajonc launched a high pass that found Roberts near the far post on the left side. With her left foot, Roberts was able to drill a shot past the Eastern Washington goalkeeper, Jonna Melton.
"It was nice to get a win for the last game for sure," Roberts said. "I really had a good time today; I think we all did."
The seniors were not too concerned with it being their last home game. Instead the seniors celebrated the much-needed win, which boosted their conference record to 4-1-1 and their overall record to 8-9-1. It was also a win that would have made Montana the host of the conference tournament if Idaho State had lost.
However, Idaho State became the regular-season champions by beating Weber State and will host the conference tournament. It has been two years since the Grizzlies hosted the tournament.
Zajonc and Roberts both ended the regular season with three goals each. Hitchcock netted two, and Smith finished with one.
"We definitely improved on things that we were trying to improve on," Roberts said. "I think we're looking good going into the tournament now."
Duerksen said the Grizzlies improved on maintaining possession of the ball. Proof of that was Montana's 18 shots to Eastern Washington's six.
Duerksen said in the past, the Eagles, who are 3-3 in the conference, have been a tough team to score on.
"We knew we had played a good first half," Durksen said. "We knew that we needed to keep doing what we were doing, and it would probably happen for us."
Forward Tara Schwager almost made it happen for the Grizzlies in the first 35 minutes, but her goal was called back on an offsides call.
"Our kids really executed well," Duerksen said. "And as usual, I think the defensive back five was just solid."
It was the sixth shutout for the Grizzly defense and goalkeeper Sarah Braseth. Braseth had five saves in the win.
Montana has not allowed any of the three teams it will face in the tournament - Idaho State, Portland State and Eastern Washington - to score.
During various times throughout the game the five Grizzly seniors took the field together to help grab the win.
"I'm going to miss hanging out with these guys almost every day," Hitchcock said. "They've become some of my best friends."
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