By: Cory McKendrick, USU Eastern Sports Information Contributor

The 2019 women’s soccer season begins with two victories returning from a road trip to Wyoming. Both wins coming by a score of 1 to 0. USU Eastern competed first against Gillette College on August 22 and then against Sheridan College on August 24.

In the game versus Gillette Atley Thompson netted a goal in the first half, assisted by Claire Bowman. This proved to be all that the Eagles needed to rise to victory against the Pronghorns. Megan Edwards was in goal for The Lady Eagles and held Gillette scoreless during the 90 minute game to complete the shutout.

The match in Sheridan, Wyoming was an equally exciting game for The Eagles. A scoreless contest until the 89th minute. In the final minute, Morgan Cragun played a ball to Ashley Brindley who scored to break the tie, that would prove to be the decisive goal in the game. Megan Edwards, in goal again for the Eagles defended her second consecutive shutout bringing the Eagles record to 2-0 in preseason play.

Last week The Lady Eagles played a scrimmage against Treasure Valley. This game was a bit out of routine for the structure of a soccer match. With it being a scrimmage, the teams played 4, 30-minute periods. USU Eastern came out on top by a score of 7-3.

Morgan Haag got the scoring going early with a header goal in the 5th minute of the first period. Casey Bergen added another goal off of a free kick in the 10th minute of the first period as well.

The second period featured 3 Eagle goals. The first was from Tasha Kamachi assisted by Logan Duran in the 9th minute of the 2nd period. Brooke Stoker found the back of the net in the 19th minute, assisted by Brooklyn Anderson and Morgan Haag netted her second goal of the contest in the final minute of the second period, from an assist by Brenna Martin.

Logan Duran scored the final two goals for the Eagles, one in the 3rd period, unassisted and then one in the 4th period assisted by Claire Bowman. The Lady Eagles, coached by Ammon Bennett are back in action in Henderson, Nevada on August 29th and 31st. Facing off against Arizona Western College and Alan Hancock College (CA). Game times will be 4 p.m. and 10 a.m., respectively.  All Nevada games with be played Pacific Standard Time.