MILLIGAN, Tenn. — The Eastern Oregon University women’s soccer team started off its 2023 campaign on the right foot.

The Mountaineers defeated Milligan 3-1 in their season opener on Friday, August 25. The game was the first of three matches the team will play in the southeastern region of the United States.

Eastern Oregon wasted no time taking control of the game — the Mountaineers tallied five shots in the first half to just two for Milligan. In the 16th minute, Erika Skindlov notched the team’s first goal of the 2023 season off an assist from Kana Mateaki.

Just two minutes later Mateaki scored to double Eastern Oregon’s lead, with the assist coming from Brooke Snyder. Eastern Oregon held its commanding 2-0 lead for the rest of the first half and went into halftime leading by two goals.

In the 52nd minute Mateaki continued her productivity on the pitch, scoring an unassisted goal to extend Eastern Oregon’s lead to 3-0.

Milligan’s Emma True found the back of the net in the 64th minute, but Eastern Oregon managed to hold off the opponents for the remainder of the match and go on to win 3-1.

The Mountaineers held a 9-6 advantage in shots and forced and impressive nine corner kicks to just one for Milligan. Mateaki and Skindlov both tallied a team-high three shots on goal in the victory.

Up next, Eastern Oregon is slated to face Tennessee Wesleyan University at 2 p.m. Pacific Time on Aug. 26.