SPOKANE, Wash. – Gonzaga University women’s soccer sophomore Heather Johnson tallied two goals and freshman Karley Baggerly notched her first collegiate goal to pace the Bulldogs to a 3-0 victory over Eastern Washington University Tuesday at the Gonzaga Soccer Field.

 

“I felt like today was another extension of Sunday,” explained Gonzaga head coach Amy Edwards of her team’s second win in three days. “We are beginning to figure out who we are and becoming more consistent with it.”

 

Johnson tallied the Bulldogs first multi-goal match since classmate Sila Tuiofea scored two goals in GU’s 2012 season opening 3-1 win over the University of South Dakota. Johnson has now notched four goals in her career.

 

“I was very happy for Heather that she got those two goals today for her effort,” stated Edwards. “She works so incredibly hard on both sides of the ball to create and make things happen.”

 

The Kennewick, Wash., native scored her first goal – and the game’s opening goal – in the 31^st minute. After receiving the ball nearly 30-yards from goal, she turned to find open space in front of her. Johnson took a few dribbles and unexpectedly blasted a shot to the upper left corner of the goal that caught Eagles goalkeeper Nathalie Schwery flatfooted.

 

Baggerly added the second goal four minutes into the second half.

 

Her tireless work ethic paid off as she hustled to break up an Eastern Washington pass that was played back to Schwery. Baggerly won the ball from Schwery – who had to use her feet outside the box – and then placed the ball in the net at 47:57.

 

“It was nice to see Karley get her first collegiate goal,” Edwards said. “She has been working really hard to try and get one in the back of the net.”

 

Johnson finished the scoring off for Gonzaga at the 52:34 mark. Freshman defender Sarah Carter served a cross deep into the back of the box that found Johnson waiting. She collected the ball and hit a shot to into the left netting. 

 

Because of the large lead, Edwards was able to rest a few players and give many of the younger player’s significant minutes in the contest. It was crucial, as Gonzaga finishes this four matches-in-eight-days stretch with a match at the University of Washington Friday and a home contest against the University of Nevada Sunday.

 

“This is a hard stretch for us with four games in eight days,” explained Edwards. “It was critical today to get some of the player’s time off because they played 90 minutes on Sunday. It was great to see that the fresh legs allowed us to still be dynamic and create a lot of opportunities for us.”

 

In total, 22 Zag players saw action, with all but one playing 30 or more minutes. Six of the Bulldogs 21 total scoring opportunities came from players off the bench, including freshman Ashley Aberton who got off three shots on goal. 

 

The Zags win improved their overall record to 3-3 on the season, while the Eagles fell to 1-6-1 on the year.

 

Gonzaga’s match at Washington is set for 4:30 p.m. and can be seen on the PAC-12 Network.