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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

NCAA champs visit Zags

Jason Shoot Correspondent

Like a mother bird that has protected and schooled her young chicks during their formative era, Shannon Stiles now is ready to send them out into the world.

The problem, however, is a voracious predator lurking just outside the nest.

The Gonzaga women’s soccer team opens West Coast Conference play Sunday when fifth-ranked Portland visits Martin Field at 11 a.m., part of a Bulldogs doubleheader in which the Gonzaga men play host to Saint Mary’s at 1 p.m.

The Bulldogs (6-5-1 overall) suffered a 1-0 loss against UCLA on Sunday, their second loss in two games against Top 25 opponents. Portland (9-2-1) is the defending national champion – the Pilots have won two NCAA titles the last four years – and has won its last six games by shutout.

Portland will benefit from the return of two All-Americans, forward/midfielder Megan Rapinoe and defender Stephanie Lopez. Both missed two games while competing for the U.S. National Team, Rapinoe netting a pair of goals in a 10-0 win over Chinese Taipai.

Portland goalkeeper Cori Alexander has recorded 35 shutouts and needs one more to set a school record.

Freshman Jessie Thalman is making comparable strides in the net at Gonzaga. She’s posted three shutouts this year, tying her for third in career shutouts in Bulldogs history.

Washington State

The Cougars (5-3-2) get a shot at Portland before the Zags, traveling to Oregon for a Thursday matchup with the Pilots. That represents WSU’s final non-conference game before cross-state and Pac-10 rival Washington visits Pullman on Sunday.

WSU must crank up its offense if it hopes to thrive in conference play. The Cougars rank eighth among Pac-10 teams with an average of 1.1 goals per game. Carly Dobratz leads Washington State with three goals, and ranks sixth in the Pac-10 in shots per game (3.1).

Whitworth

With unbeaten Willamette beginning to look unstoppable in the Northwest Conference, Whitworth (6-1-2, 4-1-1 NWC) is trying to retain second place. The Pirates tied preseason favorite Puget Sound 1-1 on Sunday, preventing the Loggers from surpassing Whitworth and sliding in behind Willamette in the standings.

Whitworth’s Greta Thibodeau is sixth in scoring in the NWC with five goals and three assists. Goalkeeper Leah Motz has five shutouts and is fourth in the conference allowing 0.85 goals per game.

CC Spokane

If anyone can relate to Whitworth’s struggle to keep pace with a conference leader, it’s the Sasquatch. Spokane trails Walla Walla in the East Division of the NWAACC despite an 8-1 conference record (8-2 overall). Walla Walla has won all nine of its conference games, including a 3-1 win over Spokane on Sept. 15.

Bellevue has done its part to aid Spokane’s cause. Bellevue forfeited its scheduled Sunday game against the Sasquatch, awarding Spokane an effortless three points in the standings.