Montana shut out at Gonzaga

Sunday, September 5

Spokane, Wash.

2 PM (MT)

Montana

1-4-0

Gonzaga

5-1-0

Montana

Gonzaga

Photos: Gonzaga Athletics

9/5/2021 5:40:00 PM | Soccer

Box Score

By: Montana Sports Information

The Montana soccer team fell 3-0 to Gonzaga on Sunday afternoon at Luger Field in Spokane, Wash.

The Bulldogs (5-1-0), who have now outscored their opponents 22-2 this season, outshot the Grizzlies (1-4-0) 25-7 and put 13 shots on goal.

"That is the best version of Gonzaga I've seen," said coach Chris Citowicki. "They were dominant in so many phases of the game. Their talent level is through the roof.

"They are extremely competitive, extremely athletic and they know how to play at a very quick tempo. I don't know that there is anything else we could have done, other than put more players on the field."

Gonzaga scored in the 20th, 45th and 75th minutes and finished the match having held 62 percent of the possession. Montana hadn't lost a match by multiple goals in more than two years.

"When we play games, this is how we want to make teams feel, that they leave the field feeling exhausted. That's how they made us feel," said Citowicki.

"At the end of the day, I'm not going to fault our effort. We just lost to a better team, and we'll be better because of it."

Gonzaga went up 1-0 at 19:22 when Kacy Johnston received a corner kick and scored from just outside the 18-yard box, a shot from distance that eluded the extended fingers of Griz goalkeeper Camellia Xu.

While the Bulldogs controlled the first half, it was still 1-0 going into the final minute before halftime. That's when the feel of the match changed.

Kelsey Oyler, playing up the right side just seconds before the end of the half, took a shot that was saved by Xu, but the rebound went back to Oyler who scored to make it 2-0.

"I think it's a different story if it's 1-0 at halftime," said Citowicki. "I think we maybe come out with a little more adrenaline, but giving up a goal with three seconds left absolutely kills you."

After getting outshot 12-1 in the first half, the Grizzlies took six shots in the second half.

"We have a very talented squad right now that fights hard, but we were up against a different beast today," said Citowicki.

Xu would finish with 10 saves, the most by a Montana goalkeeper since Kailey Norman made 11 in a 4-3 double-overtime loss at Missouri in September 2014.

"Cam did exceptionally well to keep us in it," said Citowicki.

Montana will host Texas Southern (0-3-0) on Friday at 3 p.m. at South Campus Stadium, Boise State (5-0-0) on Sunday at 1 p.m.