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Sept. 15, 2012

Box Score

LACEY, Wash. - Midfielder Brina Sych (Jr., Vancouver/Union) had a goal and an assist and forward Kristin Maris (Jr., Issaquah) scored twice within a span of 51 seconds as Western Washington University defeated Saint Martin's University, 3-1, in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference women's soccer game Saturday at SMU Field.

The Vikings improved to 5-1-0 overall and 2-0-0 in conference play with their fifth straight victory. The only loss was 1-0 at nationally No.4-ranked Chico State in their season opener.

SMU, which tied the score at 1-1 in the 74th minute, fell to 3-3-0 overall and 1-1-0 in league action.

"I'm really proud of how we responded to the challenge when Saint Martin's tied it up," said WWU coach Travis Connell. "We handled it really well and just kept clicking. We were confident that the goal would come and it did. I'm very encouraged by their reaction to that situation."

Maris broke the tie on a header in the 83rd minute after Sych had headed a shot off the post. Just 50 second later, Maris received a pass from Catherine Miles (Fr., Anacortes) and put a 12-yard shot into the upper left corner of the net.

Following a scoreless first half, Sych got WWU on the board in the 60th minute with her first goal of the campaign, heading in a rebound of a shot by Kim Cooper (So., Bellingham).

"Brina Sych was fantastic," Connell said. "She went up on top and got the first goal for us and set up the game winner for Maris. What she meant to us on both ends of the field was outstanding. It was a special performance by her."

SMU tied it at 1-1 14 minutes later as Abby McFaul scored her fourth goal of the season, heading in a cross from Caley Wiseman.

The victory was the 106th of Connell's 10-year career, making him the winningest coach in WWU history.

Maris, who has a team-leading four goals this season, has scored six times in five games against SMU during her three-year career. Sych tops the Vikings with three assists.

WWU travels to defending GNAC champion Seattle Pacific on Wednesday (7 p.m.) for a GNAC contest.

Western Washington vs. Western Oregon
Date: 09/15/12   Attendance: 156
Goals by Period    1  2    Total
Western Washington 0  3 ---  3
Saint Martin's     0  1 ---  1
SCORING SUMMARY:
WWU - Sych (Cooper), 59:30
SMU - McFaul (Wiseman), 73:30
WWU - Maris (Sych), 82:01
WWU - Maris (Miles), 82:52
Shots: Western Washington 17, SMU 4
Corner kicks: Western Washington 9, SMU 0
Fouls: Western Washington 13, SMU 11
Saves: Western Washington 1 (Arthurs 1), SMU 8 (Engel 4, Cardenas 4)