COOS BAY, Ore. - Three goals from Jeslene Gonzales sent Portland CC to a 4-2 win at Southwestern Oregon today. It was the NWAC South Region opener for both teams.
The rainy, windy weather and wet field was a hindrance for both teams over the 90 minutes of action. The conditions caused some nervy moments for defenders in their penalty areas, which the host Lakers took advantage of early. A speculative pass into the box was collected by Shelby Schweim while surrounded by three Panther defenders. Her looping shot lofted just out of the reach of goalkeeper Evelyn Hollingsworth, and a stunned PCC side found themselves down 1-0 just three minutes into the game.
The Panthers responded with two goals before halftime off the boot of Gonzales, as the Panthers began to assert themselves in their attacking half. Gonzales found the net in the 18th and 26th minutes, with assists coming from Vanessa Garcia Morales and Alli Aldinger.
PCC tallied two more strikes in the 2nd half, both coming from well placed through balls that left the SWOC goalkeeper with one v one situations. Gonzales completed her hat trick in the 67th minute, while Aldinger capped the scoring in the 75th minute. Morales added a second assist, while Kailey Carcamo Rodriguez assisted on the final goal.
The Lakers enjoyed a consolation goal in the 80th minute from Addison Back.
Hollingsworth made three saves on the way to the victory.Â
