CHRISTOPHER PALANUK/THE CRESWELL CHRONICLE BULLDOGS MIDFIELDER HALLIE DRAGO ATTEMPTS A SHOT ON GOAL AGAINST BILLIES DEFENDER GEORGIA WARREN DURING THE SECOND HALF OF THE CRESWELL VS. PLEASANT HILL MATCHUP ON OCT. 3. THE CRESWELL BULLDOGS TIED WITH THE PLEASANT HILL BILLIES 2-2 AND HAVE A CURRENT OVERALL SEASON RECORD OF 5-2-3. Christopher Palanuk/The Creswell Chronicle
Senior forward Morgan Janshen scored both Creswell goals as the 18th-ranked Lady Bulldogs tied the visiting 17th-ranked Pleasant Hill Billies 2-2 in girls’ soccer action on Oct. 3. It was the only game last week for the Lady Dawgs, who are currently second in league standings behind Santiam Christian, with Pleasant Hill in third.
”It was a good, physical game and the Bulldogs still have yet to have a loss in league,” noted Creswell Head Coach Janelle Sailer.
Janshen got Creswell on the board in the 23rd minute. Following up after a cross by Abby Mercer was bobbled by the Billies defense, Janshen drove the ball into the lower left-hand corner of the goal for a 1-0 halftime lead.
”At halftime we discussed the importance of playing physical, staying on our marks and staying in the game mentally, not slowing down at all,” Sailer said.
In the 50th minute, the Billies scored on a free kick from about 30 yards out to tie the game, then scored again in the 64th minute on a long-range shot to go up 2-1.
”What I was most impressed with about my team is that they did not give up even though they were losing,” Sailer said. ”They continued to battle, move the ball up the field and take shots.”
That effort and focus paid off in the 73rd minute when Anna Dahl served what Sailer termed ”a beautiful corner” to the front post, where Janshen again was waiting. ”She got in front of the keeper to redirect the ball into the back of the net,” Sailer said.
The Lady Dawgs maintained a hard-driving pace and nearly scored again before the game ended with the 2-2 stalemate.
”I was very proud of the girls for continuing to fight and stay in the game and pull off the tie,” Sailer said.
Creswell goalkeeper Tabetha Donovan made seven saves to help deny Pleasant Hill the win.
