EUGENE, Ore. – NCU Freshman Hannah Best scored a goal in each half on Saturday night to help the Beacons roll to a 2-0 victory over The Evergreen State College in Cascade Collegiate Conference action at Les Schwab Sports Park.
 
The Beacons (2-4, 1-1 CCC) picked up their first conference win of the season as they out-shot Evergreen 17-16 while holding a 12-5 lead in shots-on-goal.

Head Coach Jessica Cardwell said, "I am really proud of our girls and the heart they played with tonight. We were a different team than yesterday and that passion was seen all over the field for the full 90 minutes. Our team defense was consistent and much improved and so was our ability to pass the ball. The midfield calmed the game down and won the 50/50 balls and our forwards played hard defense, led by Sierra Coloma. They gave us the extra effort when we needed it."
 
After peppering Geoduck keeper Megan Breckenridge throughout the first half, the Beacons finally broke through in the 44th minute as Libby Gregory chipped a pass to Best who fired home the short strike for what would amount to the game-winner.
 
Then, in the 73rd minute NCU found pay dirt a second-time. Lauren Kogutkiewicz took a hard shot which deflected off of Breckenridge. Best quickly collected the rebound and dropped the ball into an empty net to make it a 2-0 lead. "Hannah ignited our office and player her best game of the season," said Cardwell. 
 
Beacon goal-minder Katie Hastings delivered her second clean sheet of the season as she snagged five saves including four in the second half as Evergreen attempted to get back into the contest.
 
Evergreen (1-6, 0-2) returns home to Olympia on Friday night and will take on Warner Pacific University. NCU remains at home next weekend and will host Providence at 1:00 pm.