Gavin’s first career goal gives UW conference-opening victory

Oct 2, 2015, 10:23 PM

It may have taken redshirt sophomore Danny Gavin three years to get his first career goal with the Washington men’s soccer team, but he found the back of the net when it mattered most. The Huskies, in their Pac-12 conference opener, faced off against San Diego State and came out ahead 1-0 after over 80 minutes with no goals from either side. After a cross from redshirt sophomore Beau Blanchard for the assist, Gavin scored on a diving header in the 82nd minute to give the Huskies the lead, and the eventual win. “It’s pretty unbelievable, you know, it feels so good to score finally,” Gavin said. “We had a lot of shots, the keeper had a great game, here and there we could have been up two, three, to nothing.” The Aztecs (5-2-2, 0-1-0 Pac-12) outshot the Huskies (5-1-3, 1-0-0 Pac-12) in the first half by one, but in the second half the Huskies shot six to San Diego State’s five, leaving both teams with nine on the night, three each on target. The Huskies came out with some slight changes in their starting lineup, partially due to injuries with both junior forward Mason Robertson and senior midfielder James Moberg out, and senior midfielder Michael Gallagher limited. Gallagher started the match but played just 49 minutes. “We were talking about now being more of a team effort and Sunday it will be a couple different guys again,” head coach Jamie Clark said. “We are obviously banged up through the core of our team and we have picked up injuries, so now it has given some guys who believe they deserve chances, chances. And I love it when those guys who are eager to impress step in and actually do so.” Sophomore defender Garret Jackson was another player new to the starting lineup, making his first start of the season playing all 90 minutes today in the backline alongside redshirt junior Justin Schmidt, sophomore Justin Fiddes, and freshman Quentin Pearson. “[It’s] always fun to get back in and play and it takes a group effort all the time and not giving up too many chances,” Jackson said. “We just held it tight back there and midfield did really well to cover in and get those second balls and make sure we kept a clean sheet.” Tonight’s shutout gives the UW seven on the season and six for redshirt senior goalkeeper Ryan Herman in eight starts. “Herm[an] made a couple great saves and we needed those to come up big,” Jackson said. So far this year, the Huskies have been using a number of players on their roster, emphasizing a team effort, and substituting players to provide new energy. Against the Aztecs, 15 players saw time on the field for the UW. With a few key players out of the lineup and questionable timelines for their return, there could be some fresh faces in the rotation again come Sunday. “We have to see where we are health, always,” Clark said. “[Gallagher] couldn’t play as much as he usually does. But maybe that is a blessing because maybe it means he is healthier for Sunday.” The UW will face the UCLA at Husky Soccer Stadium at 7 p.m. for their second conference matchup and second home game of the weekend. Last year, the Huskies lost both games against the Bruins (4-5-0, 0-1-0 Pac-12) with the same score, 2-1. In 2014, the then-No. 2 Bruins made it to the finals of the NCAA championships and fell to then-No. 16 Virginia in penalty kicks after a 0-0 draw. “We are playing against the No. 1-ranked team preseason who’s now 4-5,” Clark said about the Bruins. “So they have a lot to prove and you know they are going to want to come here and right their ship.” Reach Editor-in-Chief Kathryn Altena at sports@dailyuw.com. Twitter: @kkaltena

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