Nevada gets first victory
The bitter cold weather was too much for Hawaii Friday as the Wolf Pack picked up its first win of the season in its Western Athletic Conference opener.
Nevada was outshot by Hawaii 10-1, but was able to sneak its only shot past Hawaii goalkeeper Kori Lu for the win.
“It’s conference time; this is definitely a fresh slate for us,” said defender Patrice Godwin, who scored Nevada’s only goal. “It doesn’t matter what happened in the past, it just matters what happens right now.”
The goal was also the first of Godwin’s four-year career at Nevada. Assisted by forward Annabelle Allen, the head shot from Godwin hit off the back post in 67th minute
“This is a new season for us,” Nevada coach Jaime Frias said. “It’s the WAC. Everyone is 0-0-0. We just beat the team that was picked to win (the WAC). Whether we were 11-0 or 0-11, it doesn’t matter going into conference. This is the meat of the season.”
College sports are organized into two seasons: non-conference and conference play. The non-conference games have no influence on whether a team goes to the WAC Tournament.
The WAC Tournament takes place in Reno Nov. 6-9. If Nevada doesn’t begin winning in conference games, it won’t qualify for its own home tournament.
“It would be really tough if we don’t make (the tournament) especially because it’s my senior year,” forward Samantha Miller said. “I don’t even want to think about not making it. We’re going to make it.”
In holding Hawaii scoreless, the defense is doing its part to secure victories. The defense has not allowed the opposing team more than two goals since Sept. 21. During that same time-span, the offense has scored a total of four goals and hasn’t scored more than one goal in a single game all season.
“Our defense is doing awesome right now; they’re doing everything they can,” Miller said. “We just need to put the ball away more to secure victories.”
Unfortunately for Nevada, the level of excitement and anticipation as to whether or not this team is finally gelling did not last long because it fell to the San Jose State Spartans 1-0 Sunday.
Nevada outshot San Jose State 6-2, but couldn’t get the ball past San Jose State goalkeeper Nina Butera. San Jose State’s goal came three minutes into the game. Fans were still settling into their seats only to look up and see that the WAC undefeated Wolf Pack were down 1-0.
“I think we’re putting a lot of pressure on ourselves to win right now just because our record isn’t the greatest,” Miller said. “When we’re inside the box we just panic and we get excited and we just can’t stay calm and composed and get the job done.”
Looking to avenge its double overtime 1-0 loss to Fresno State Friday, San Jose State didn’t waste anytime scoring against the Wolf Pack. San Jose State was 3-7-3 in non-conference play this season.
“I don’t think we were overconfident in ourselves,” Miller said. “I know we had to work hard, we all agree on that. I know we outplayed them. They just put their chances away and we couldn’t. That’s what it comes down to.”
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