FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 16th, 2026
Portland, Ore.| The Warner Pacific University women's soccer team delivered a dominant performance Thursday, controlling the attack from start to finish on its way to a 2-0 shutout victory over The Evergreen State College at Eastside Timbers Sports Complex. The victory improves the Knights to 5-3-2 overall and 4-2-1 in conference play.
Warner Pacific wasted little time putting pressure on the Geoducks.
Katya Tercek nearly opened the scoring in the fifth minute when her shot struck the crossbar. The Knights continued to pepper the Evergreen goal over the opening minutes, with
Mira Thornton,
Emily Robinett,
Kasia Lopez and
Bethany Villegas all generating opportunities as WPU took control of the match.
That pressure finally paid off in the 18th minute.
Kasia Lopez found the back of the net off an assist from
Mira Thornton, putting Warner Pacific in front, 1-0. The goal highlighted a relentless first-half attack that saw the Knights generate 19 shots and five corner kicks while forcing Evergreen goalkeeper Melina Grijalva to make 12 saves.
Warner Pacific continued creating chances throughout the remainder of the opening half. Tercek, Lopez, Thornton and
Kylie Warner all put shots on goal as the Knights carried their 1-0 advantage into halftime.
The Knights came out of the break looking for more, with Tercek once again nearly finding the back of the net when her shot struck the crossbar early in the second half. Warner Pacific continued to control possession in the attacking third, generating several more opportunities while keeping Evergreen from finding an equalizer.
WPU finally added some insurance in the 78th minute when
Skyla Hansen, who had entered the match just minutes earlier, found the back of the net off an assist from
Gema Granados. Hansen's goal doubled the Warner Pacific advantage and gave the Knights a 2-0 lead they would carry through the final whistle.
Lopez led the Warner Pacific attack with a goal on nine total shots, including three on target. Tercek was also a constant threat throughout the afternoon, recording seven shots with a team-high five on goal. Thornton finished with five shots, four on target, while adding the assist on Lopez's game-winning goal. Hansen scored on her lone attempt of the match. Overall, Warner Pacific dominated the offensive numbers, finishing with a commanding 30-7 advantage in total shots and a 17-5 edge in shots on goal. The Knights also earned seven corner kicks while limiting Evergreen to none.
"I'm really proud of the girls for a strong performance," Head Coach
Greg Pfleger said. "We are one team with one fight and one goal."
On the other end of the field, goalkeeper
Evelyn Montiel Silva and the Warner Pacific defense turned in a complete performance. Montiel played all 90 minutes and recorded five saves to secure the clean sheet. The Knights held Evergreen to just two shots in the second half as they closed out the 2-0 victory.
The win continues Warner Pacific's strong run through conference play as the Knights improve to 4-2-1 against CCC opponents and 5-3-2 overall.
