Women's soccer team looks for first win

The embattled women's soccer team faces another tough challenge today, as it hosts an undefeated University of Portland team, ranked No. 3 in the nation. Then on Sunday, the Huskies host the University of San Francisco to wrap up the non-conference portion of their schedule.

The Dawgs look to improve upon a 0-7-2 record that has seen them score just five goals while taking just 7.9 shots per game.

"It's a physical game," head coach Lesle Gallimore said. "It's a grueling game. We have a lot of injuries. We need to forget those excuses, and we need to find those players that can step up."

Kelsey Rasmussen has been consistent in goal keeping, allowing 17 goals, six of which came in a 0-6 loss to Texas A&M.

"She didn't get a lot of help that game," Gallimore said.

Rasmussen will need all the help she can get against Portland (9-0-0). The Pilots have shut opponents down, allowing just three goals on 42 shot attempts. At the same time, they've scored 30 goals while taking over 30 shots a game.

The young Husky defense is in for a tough game.

The defense will have to focus on Christine Sinclair who leads the Pilots with 18 goals. Megan Rapinoe has been the only other real threat to score, finding the net six times.

"We're having to put a lot of faith in our freshmen," said junior defender Cathy Roe. "That's not something that normally happens."

This year, nothing has really been normal for Gallimore and the Huskies, who've gone to the postseason four out of the last five years. One-goal losses have pestered them since they dropped the opening day game 3-2 to then-No. 2 ranked Penn State.

"[With] all of those teams, we do a couple things right and we win those games," said Gallimore. "We as a coaching staff have to be patient."

Melissa Beal leads the Dawgs with three goals, while Katy Dowling and Sarah Dougherty have scored once each.

Sunday, the University of San Francisco Dons (2-8-0), another team that has struggled through the non-conference portion of the season, bring less of a threat to the Huskies.

The Dons have scored 10 goals on 96 shots, with Chelsea Hunt netting four of the scores. Stephanie Gray has scored twice.

Roe said the Huskies are excited to take the field and turn things around after a good team meeting Wednesday.

"I think everyone's really excited to get things working," she said.