SFU's Dana Robillard (19, left) cuts a quick path to celebrate with fellow freshman Teagan MacKay, whose first-ever GNAC goal capped the Clan's 4-1 win Saturday over Western Oregon at Terry Fox Field. Bookending MacKay (from left) are Jenna-lee Baxter and Gabrielle Brissette. (Photo by Paul Yates property of SFU athletics)
Feature University Women's Soccer

SFU women’s soccer: Baxter-Pringle partnership shows its vintage as Clan opens GNAC campaign in convincing fashion

BURNABY — Jenna-lee Baxter set the tone early, then helped to control it the rest of the way, as the Simon Fraser Clan opened the Great Northwest Athletic Conference season with a dominant performance in a 4-1 win over the Western Oregon Wolves on Saturday at Terry Fox Field.

“I’m proud of the way we came out on our conference opener and the speed at which we played today,” said Clan head coach Annie Hamel, whose team took a 1-0 lead in the seventh minute of play on a goal by Baxter.

“We scored some really great goals and executed our game plan very well.”

After her opening salvo, Baxter facilitated with expertise the rest of the way, and the level of chemistry in her partnership with a finisher like junior forward Emma Pringle showed its quality.

Baxter’s cross in the 31st minute led to a Pringle header and a 2-0 lead at the half.

SFU’s dynamic finishing forward Emma Pringle rose off the Fox Field pitch Saturday to nod home this cross from team-mate Jenna-lee Baxter and give the Clan a 2-0 half-time lead over Western Oregon.(Photo by Paul Yates property of SFU athletics)

The Wolves pulled to within one goal on a deflection in the 63rd minute by Alexie Morris.

But nine minutes later, Pringle got it back on a feed from Baxter for a 3-1 lead.

Freshman Teagan MacKay scored her first goal in the 80th minute to make it official and afterwards tipped her cap to Baxter’s presence.

“Jenna is an insane player,” MacKay told Clan athletics after the match. “She is amazing and it’s so good to be able to play with players at that level, that can distribute it so well. It’s nice to see her succeed in her last year.”

MacKay herself was thrilled to find the back of the net in her first conference game.

“I have been having trouble scoring the past few games,” she added to SFU athletics. “But it’s nice to get that off my back and score in front of my family and the fans here.”

SFU is back in action one week from today in Bellingham against Western Washington. It’s next home game is Sept. 29 against Central Washington.

If you’re reading this story or viewing these photos on any website other than one belonging to a university athletic department, it has been taken without appropriate permission. In these challenging times, true journalism will survive only through your dedicated support and loyalty. VarsityLetters.ca and all of its exclusive content has been created to serve B.C.’s high school and university sports community with hard work, integrity and respect. Feel free to drop us a line any time at howardtsumura@gmail.com.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *