BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Simon Fraser University women's soccer team faced Hawaii Pacific University in a neutral site game in Bellingham, Wash., on Tuesday night, earning the 1-0 victory and their first win of the 2012 season.
"It was a battle," said head coach Shelley Howieson. "We're still patching together a line up because of some injuries and illnesses and some people had to step into unfamiliar positions. I think we started off with a bit of jump. It went back and forth for a good part of the first half."
The victory improves the Clan's record to 1-1 on the season.
The game was a defensive battle, with just five shots on goal between the two teams.
Goalkeeper Amanda Gilliland (Delta, BC), in her second collegiate start, recorded the first shut out of her university career, making three saves, all in the second half.
"They pressed us early in the second half and we absorbed it. We got quality minutes from people who haven't had a lot of playing time. Amanda had another strong game. She's coming into her own, directing the backline as much as making the saves," continued Howieson.
Kiana Kaiwi was in net for HPU, making one save and allowing the game's lone goal, which was scored by the Clan's Aja Choy-Halo (Nanaimo, BC).
In the 44th minute, Choy-Halo picked up the ball at the centre circle, dribbled and loaded up a shot that went over the keepers head into the back of the net to give the Clan the lead.
It was the first goal of the season for Choy-Halo and the first goal of the sophomore's university career.
The Clan are back in action at Terry Fox Field on Saturday night when they continue their non-conference play against San Francisco's Academy of Art. Game time is 7 p.m. Admission is free.
