WALLA WALLA, Wash. – Whitman's women's soccer team suffered a devastating loss to the Pacific Boxers on Saturday afternoon. After leading for a majority of the game, the Boxers scored in the 78th minute and tied the game 1-1, sending the game to extra time. McKenna Davidson scored five minutes into extra time and completed the come-from-behind victory over the Missionaries.
Whitman (1-5, 1-1 NWC) saw possession early on, but missed was unable to get anything going offensively. The Missionaries were late on some passes and missed a couple shots wide, but the defense played tough, preventing the Boxers (1-5, 1-1 NWC) from crossing mid-field. Whitman's first shot on goal came in the 21st minute, but Pacific goalkeeper, Kililani Kunitomo knocked the shot down and gained control of the ball.
With six minutes left in the first half,
Alissa Soo was fouled inside the penalty area, giving the Missionaries a penalty kick.
Danielle Wieck lined up and connected with the back of the net, giving Whitman an early 1-0 lead over the Boxers. The Whitties had one other opportunity before the half, but were unable to convert, leaving the score 1-0 at the break.
Early in the second half Whitman had two opportunities first on a shot that was knocked down by Kunitomo, but a follow by Soo nearly gave the Missionaries a 2-0 lead, but the shot was saved by Kunitomo. Pacific had an opportunity in the 51st minute, when McKenna Davidson's shot was deflected by Whitman's
Haley Case and Whitman's defense prevailed on the following corner kick.
In what was very much a defensive game in the first half, both teams had several opportunities miss in the second half. Saves by both teams' goalkeepers and wide shots, kept the score at 1-0 in favor of the Missionaries.
With just over ten minutes left in the game, Pacific's Tia Kinilau connected with Krisa Duff on a cross that tied the game 1-1.In the closing minutes, the Boxers had a shot that was saved by Case and minutes later, Whitman's
Kelsey Peck missed a shot high from the top of the box and the game remained tied 1-1 going into overtime.
After Case saved the Boxers early goal attempt in extra time, the Missionaries had a shot on a corner kick, but were unable to convert anything into points. The Boxers scored five minutes into the first extra time and in what proved to be a heartbreaking loss for Whitman.
