GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- The University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks soccer team dropped a 6-1 match at the hands of Eastern Washington on Sunday afternoon at Bronson Field.
UND (2-13-2. 1-8-0 BSC) played its final home match of the season this afternoon, and while it did not end the way that UND would've liked, the Fighting Hawks still were able to honor the three seniors who will leave Grand Forks as accomplished student-athletes.
Zoe Foster (Canton, Mich.) entered her senior season as the team's points leader. A criminal justice studies major, she has never missed a game in her career, logging a total of 68 games played. Foster recorded two season with four goals and is a three-time Big Sky All-Academic Team selection. Her favorite memory of her time at UND was scoring the game-winning goal against NDSU her freshman year.
Asia Laudal (Green Bay, Wis.) has battled through injury over the past two seasons, but her hard work has paid off as she has played in every game this season and scored her first goal at UND on Oct. 7 against Northern Arizona. An elementary education major, she came to UND in the 2013 after transferring from Green Bay. She is a 2013 Big Sky All-Academic Team selection, and she has logged a total of 39 games played in her career at UND. Her favorite memory of her time at UND as being a part of a program that has grown so much over the last four and a half years. The best feeling was upsetting Montana last year. Off the field, she has some of the greatest memories that she will never forget; from traveling, to hanging out with the team at home, she has created friendships that will last a life time. Being part of this program created so many wonderful memories that she never would of had somewhere else. Everyone she played with during her freshmen year to now, has impacted her life and she can't thank them enough.
Michelle Stingle (Duluth, Minn.) has served as a team captain over the past two years for UND. A nursing and psychology double major, she is also a three-time Big Sky All-Academic Team selection. Stingle has played in 65 career games for UND and during her freshman campaign she scored two goals. Her favorite memory of her time at UND when they played NDSU her freshman year and beat them on our home turf, and also it's playing with all these girls and making memories during travel trips and practices over the past four years.
Additionally, head coach Matt Kellogg had this to say of the 2016 senior class:
"This is a very special group of players for me, as they were the first players that I brought here to UND. These three have been the core of the rebuilding process and have helped us come so far in their time here. One of the greatest things about these young women is their resiliency. They keep fighting on and off the field; whether it's Asia continuing to fight through multiple injuries and still finding her way onto the field and being an impact for us, or Zoe having to learn a completely new position in the second half of her senior year and not complaining once and doing great, or Michelle working hard to get into the nursing program, these women don't quit. I know with their work ethic, positive attitude, and great personality they will go far in life. These three will always hold a special place in my heart and I wish them only the best. Thank you for everything you have done for this program."
As for the match, Eastern Washington came out strong in the first half by errupting for four goals.
However, UND quickly evened the match at 1-1 when Karleen Yapello finished off a wonderful ball from Bella Mantaro in the 11th minute. It was the second goal of the season for Yapello as the freshman scored the 2OT winner against South Dakota.
"I think today you saw the effects of our overtime game on Friday on the road and the two early morning flights in three days, said Kellogg on the match. "EWU is a very good team and when you aren't playing at your best they'll make you pay."
EWU continued to pepper sophomore goalkeeper Olivia Swenson throughout the match, firing a total of 35 shots and 17 on goal.
The Eagles added two more goals in the second half to win the match, 6-1.
Chloe Williams scored a pair for EWU to extend her Big Sky Conference lead in goals to 13; while Romero, Chavez, Talley, and Dunbar also found the back of the net for the Eagles.
"I told the team afterwards that the good thing is we don't have to end our season on this game, we get a chance to win the last game of the season," added Kellogg.
UND will get that chance next Friday as the Fighting Hawks travel to Greely, Colorado to battle Northern Colorado. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
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