Can't stop Sparks

The Eastern Washington University women's soccer team finished off their pre-conference season with a 2-2 draw against the San Francisco Dons Friday, and a 5-1 victory against the South Dakota Coyotes Sunday.

Junior forward Brittany Sparks scored three goals during the weekend, bringing her season total up to eight goals, a new EWU record. Sparks has found the net in her last four consecutive games and now holds the school scoring record previously held by Lauryn Koelzer who netted seven goals in 2007.

"I'm really proud of her. She's worked hard to get to this point and it's great to see, especially so early in the season," Head Coach George Hageage said. Sparks opened up the scoring against San Francisco before the 15-minute mark, giving EWU the early lead. Despite some good link-up play and a nice shot fired just wide of the post by Lacey Schreiner, the Eagles went into the half with a 1-0 lead.

The next goal came as a low cross weaved its way in from the left side, finding Whitney Brannan standing in front of goal presenting her the chance for the tap in.

The Eagles looked to be on cruise control heading toward the win before a hand ball in the EWU penalty area lead to a spot kick that allowed the Dons to cut Eastern's lead in half. San Francisco equalized with only 48 seconds left on the clock, tapping in a late cross that sent the game into overtime, which ultimately ended in a 2-2 draw.

"San Francisco is a really strong team; we knew they were going to come at us," Hageage said. "We did give up two goals for the tie, but we didn't give up a third goal. We fought hard through the overtime and never gave them an opportunity to win it."

Success would follow when the Eagles faced South Dakota for the first time ever in either school's history. Sparks wasted little time opening her goal account against the Coyotes scoring just eight minutes after the starting whistle.

Ten minutes later, the Coyotes were able to equalize when a shot curled in from the outside of the box and flew just out of reach of EWU keeper Lisa Dimak.

With just four minutes left in the first half, EWU defender Chelsey Hannesson had an amazing run up from midfield, and despite having her first shot blocked, she was able to recover and net the ball for a point. Two minutes later, a corner-set piece saw a cross come in from the right side for a header nodded in by Melanie Kitsman.

Twelve minutes into the second half, Sparks made her mark in the EWU history books by scoring her eighth goal in an already young season. The forward was able to get the better of two defenders before beating the keeper in the penalty area for her second goal of the game.

Only a minute from the final whistle, there was enough time for Brannan to make a dashing run in between the South Dakota back line and around the keeper to score EWU's final of five goals, finishing the game 5-1.