OLYMPIA, Wash.  –  A goal following a well-timed cross in the 72nd minute proved to be the difference as the Menlo Oaks defeated the Evergreen Geoducks, 1-0, in a NAIA women’s soccer match on Saturday afternoon at Evergreen Pitch in Olympia, Wash.

The two teams played a solid first half as both the Oaks (2-1-0) and Geoducks (0-1-0) managed to put four shots on frame.  Menlo’s Whitney Falindo and Evergreen’s Kaitlin MacKenzie (Lake Stevens, Wash./Shoreline CC) each made four saves to take a scoreless draw into the half.

In the second half, the play seemed to settle in the middle third as both squads struggled to put pressure on offensively.  The Oaks finally broke the tie in the 72nd minute when Erika Savela passed the ball up the left side to Victoria Piazza, who unleashed a cross to the far post that found the head of Natalie Ingram for the game’s only score.

Menlo held an 11-8 advantage on shots.  Evergreen’s Lauren Davidson (Seattle, Wash./Garfield HS) came in to start the second half, making one save and allowing the game’s lone goal.  Galindo added one more save in the final 45 to finish with five on the afternoon.

The Geoducks will get another chance to pick up a win on Monday morning when they play host to Rocky Mountain as part of a doubleheader.  Kick with the Battlin’ Bears is set for 11 a.m., followed by the men’s game between the same two schools at approximately 1 p.m.

Box Score