By John McCarty
Despite the nippy weather, 3,678 fans came out to watch the Pilot women face off against Gonzaga in the West Coast Conference opener on Saturday.
The Pilots toppled the Bulldogs with a score of 7-0, advancing their record to 12-1-0 and beating the Bulldogs for the 18th straight time in program history.
The night was indeed a historical night for the Pilot women, with sophomore striker Danielle Foxhoven scoring four of the seven goals.
Foxhoven is now one of only 13 players, including junior Kendra Chandhoke, to score four or more goals in one game.
She is also one of six players in program history to have more than one hat trick in a season; with 15 goals this season she is just one shy of the team high she set last year.
The Pilots commanded the pitch, out shooting the Bulldogs 24-2 and kept defensive pressure on, allowing only one opposing corner kick. Sophomore and Villa Drum Squad member Adam Lyon said, "This is the kind of thing that happens when your starting goalie gets kicked out."
The Pilots started ripping shots just 13 seconds after kickoff but it wasn't until the 23rd minute that first blood was drawn.
"It always takes time to find a rhythm," said sophomore midfielder/striker Halley Kreminski. "It's tough in conference because we have got to win."
Danielle Foxhoven got the scoring started with a quick blast from inside the box to the lower right hand corner of the goal; senior Michelle Enyeart assisted her. The Bulldogs played rough with 11 penalties in the first half and 13 overall.
Gonzaga goalie, Amy Danielson, received a red card and was ejected from the pitch after a flagrant tackle on Danielle Foxhoven.
Foxhoven hammered the ball into the net for a penalty kick goal, her second on the night.
"We can expect roughness," said sophomore midfielder Charney Burk.
"They know that we are a finesse team and they tried to disrupt that with their aggressive play."
Despite the frigid autumn air, the crowd remained enthusiastic throughout the game.
"Yeah, it's cold, but the home environment is different from anywhere else," Kreminski said. "We love playing in front of the students, they are the reason we play."
The goals continued to come and the students gave the Bulldogs a special serenade after each one, reminding them of the exact score.
Michelle Enyeart jammed the ball in the bottom left of the goal off an assist from Danielle Foxhoven in the 36th minute bringing the Pilots to a 3-0 lead.
The scoring didn't stop there though, after two corner kicks and several attempts on goal, Foxhoven launched a shot into the back right of the net.
Foxhoven's goal earned her yet another hat trick in the 44th minute off an assist from Michelle Enyeart.
Things heated right back up after half time with Foxhoven quickly scoring her fourth and final goal off of an assist from junior defender Kristen Kelly.
Foxhoven knocked the ball past Gonzaga's Jessie Thalman in the 59th minute and was later substituted out.
Kreminski gave the Bulldogs some parting blows with two goals of her own near the end of the second half.
Her first goal came in the 75th minute off an assist from senior forward Janelle Jacka.
Unsatisfied with a 6-0 shutout, Kreminski put another one past Gonzaga's Jessie Thalman for the seventh and final goal of the evening.
Kreminski's final goal came in the 85th minute and was assisted by Charney Burk.
Before the game was over, the Bulldogs launched two long shots from outside the box, both of which were easily fielded by senior goalkeeper Kelsey Davis.
The Pilot defense had four assists overall and sophomore defender Kassie McCluskie made her first appearance after her off- season back surgery.
"It was a little weird playing with a different defensive lineup," said Burk. "I think our defense did really well, though."
The Pilots head to California this weekend for games against Pepperdine and Loyola Marymount. Their next home game is Friday the 23rd against Saint Mary's College.
