MILWAUKIE – Gladstone High put an end to La Salle’s five-game unbeaten streak Monday night, handing the Falcon varsity girls’ soccer team a 3-0 setback for their first Capital Conference loss of the season.
The Gladiators, who controlled things offensively for much of the 80-minute match, took an early 1-0 lead in the game’s 16th minute when Haleigh Murrell gathered a rebound just outside the box and hooked a shot from 20 yards that sailed over the head of La Salle keeper Natalie Byrne.
Gladstone’s Ashley Beykovsky made it 2-0 midway through the second half when she scored following a cross from the right wing by Murrell. Beykovsky’s initial shot bounded off the right post, but she was there to put the carom away for good. Less than four minutes later, Gladstone closed out the scoring when Amber Jensen scored from close range into an empty net.
“I was impressed by the intensity that our players brought to the game,” said La Salle head coach Ryan Cereghino. “It was the hardest, toughest I have seen our players battle all season. I have to give recognition to our goalkeeper Natalie Byrnes. She played tough and took a beating coming out on a few shots. She received a few knocks to the head, including a forward’s knee, but she fought through it. Natalie also stopped a penalty kick with a diving save to her right. I was very proud of her performance and she is finding her tenacity and leadership in goal.”
La Salle, 4-4-1 overall and 3-1-1 in conference play, next plays North Marion High in a 4 p.m. road game Tuesday, Oct. 13. The Falcons defeated the Huskies 1-0 at La Salle Stadium on Sept. 17.
Dave Haglund
