GREAT FALLS, Mont.  – The Bushnell women's soccer team find themselves alone in first-place in the Cascade Collegiate Conference, at least until Friday, after earning a 2-0 shutout victory over the University of Providence on Thursday afternoon.
 
The Beacons (2-1-2, 1-0 CCC) out-shot the Argos (0-2-2, 0-1) 18-8 in the contest and allowed just two shots-on-goal. One shot-on-goal came in each half, with Bushnell Keeper Ana Agusto coming up huge with a Penalty Kick save early in the second stanza.
 
Agusto said, "I am very happy with the result but even more with the determination of the team as a whole. There is not a single person on this team who did not give everything they had on and off the field. I am proud that we play for each other."
 
Meanwhile, the Bushnell offense was busy all day, taking 12 shots-on-goal as Providence keeper Jennifer Alvillar earned double-digit saves.
 
Head Coach Halle Meadows said, "It is a good feeling to win the first game of conference after the last few long travel days. It was another game where we had a lot of opportunities but only finished a couple, and that's where we need to work and be better."
 
Bushnell got on the board in the 28th minute on a beautiful set piece. Just 30 seconds after subbing into the game, Freshman Charlotte Vandercar came flying into the box uncovered on a Lexis-Canyete Asato corner kick and headed home the go-ahead strike to a wide-open right side of the net. It was Vandercar's first collegiate goal on her very first shot attempt of the season.
 
"I am so proud of my team for coming out strong today," said Vandercar. "We all really wanted a win to start conference and set the tone for the rest of the season, which is exactly what we did. We left it all on the field and I can't wait to see where we go in the future."
 
The Beacons dominated time of possession in the first half, ending the opening 45 with a 12-3 advantage in shot attempts.
 
Providence came on strong to begin the second half, creating multiple scoring opportunities, but the Beacons were up to the challenge. In the 49th minute, Ana Agusto helped to keep the shutout bid with the PK stop, diving to her right to deny the attempt.  
 
Vandercar had another prime opportunity in the 56th minute firing a 25-yard blast that clanged off the crossbar. Then, in the 70th minute, the Beacons pushed across an insurance strike on another corner kick. This time it was Addy Morgan, passing back to a wide open Canyete-Asato who fired a 35-yard missile into the back of the net.
 
"Proud of our first conference win," said Canyete-Asato. "Now we shift focus to our tough week ahead. We need to keep building and carry this momentum forward."
 
"Now we start preparing for EOU and CI next weekend who are at the top of our conference," said Meadows. "We have a lot of work before then, but excited to get to it!"
 
UP NEXT: With just one game on the docket for the CCC's opening weekend, Bushnell will hit the road once again next week, traveling to face Eastern Oregon University (3-2-1) on Friday and No. 5-ranked The College of Idaho (3-1) on Saturday.