Gonzaga scores early, defeats Montana 1-0

Sunday, September 1

Spokane, Wash.

2 PM (MT)

Montana

0-2-2

Gonzaga

3-1-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Montana	0	0	0
Gonzaga	1	0	1

9/1/2019 5:45:00 PM | Soccer

Box Score

By: Montana Sports Information

Montana faced Washington State on Friday night, yet the lingering effects of that game, a 6-0 Cougar victory, were visible all over Luger Field when the Grizzlies took on Gonzaga in Spokane on Sunday.

At least in the first half.

The Bulldogs (3-1-0) outshot the Grizzlies 10-1 through the opening 45 minutes and scored what would be the game-winning goal in the ninth minute as Gonzaga won 1-0 to keep Montana (0-2-2) winless on the season.

"That game still had a residual effect on us in the first half. We literally played like we were playing Washington State," said coach Chris Citowicki, whose team spent most of the opening period defending its end of the field.

The Cougars have been doing that to teams this season. They scored five goals on Sunday against James Madison before that match was even 25 minutes in.

"You could tell after the way we lost that game at Washington State that it was going to them a while to come out of it," said Citowicki.

"To have the belief we had after (playing North Dakota State last Sunday) beat out of us, it was going to take us a while to start playing again."

Lauren Elwer, a freshman and the Idaho Gatorade Player of the Year last season, made it 1-0 when she scored her third goal of the season in the ninth minute.

India Jencks sent the ball out of a crowd to the top of the box, where Elwer was running toward goal. Her shot from 20 yards out got over a leaping Claire Howard's outstretched hand and under the crossbar.

"As always, it's a game of moments, it's a game of chances," said Citowicki. "The counter they hit us with was lightning-quick. She made the right run to the right spot and had the right finish."

Montana was fortunate to be down just 1-0 at the break. The team that emerged for the second half went head-to-head with the Bulldogs and matched Gonzaga's chances.

"The challenge was, can we just leave here saying we played our soccer? If we lose, I don't care. But can we leave here against one of the better mid-majors playing our soccer?" said Citowicki of his halftime address.

"We came out that second half and played exceptionally well. It was an all-around team performance in the second half. It was nice to see us create those opportunities and play the way we did."

That the game, so lopsided after 45 minutes, ended with an even 50-50 split in time of possession suggests Montana comes out of the weekend the way the Grizzlies started it.

The wins may not be there but maybe they played themselves back into believers. Maybe they got Washington State and Friday night out of their systems.

"I think a lot came out of this weekend for that reason," said Citowicki. "We're back to where we started this trip. Now let's go home and have a good performance."

Montana will host UC Santa Barbara (0-1-2), picked to finish second in the Big West Conference preseason poll, on Friday at 5 p.m. at South Campus Stadium.

The Grizzlies will then face another Pac-12 team that's rolling early. California (3-0-0) has outscored its opponents this season 9-0, including a 5-0 victory over Weber State.

The teams will meet next Sunday in Berkeley at 2 p.m. (MT).