WALLA WALLA, Wash. - - Puget Sound held off a determined La Verne squad on Saturday, winning 3-2 in a back and forth battle at Whitman College. 

How it Happened 

It didn't take long for the Loggers to make their presence felt. Freshman Sofia Evans, making her first collegiate start, drew a foul inside the box that set up a penalty kick. Ellie Rutkin stepped up and buried it to give Puget Sound an early 1–0 lead.

La Verne wasn't rattled for long. The Leopards found an equalizer off a free kick, leveling the match at 1–1 and setting the stage for a close second half.

Puget Sound turned to Stella Grigoryan to start the second half, and the goalkeeper made her collegiate debut count, anchoring the backline as the Loggers pushed forward.

Leila Hausia-Haugen buried a finish from the left side off an assist from Rutkin, putting Puget sound back on top, 2–1. It was one of several dangerous looks that Hausia-Haugen created throughout the afternoon.

But the Leopards answered again. Off a set piece just after the goal, La Verne connected on a defensive header to level the score at 2–2.

With 10 minutes remaining, Puget Sound found the moment it needed. A string of corner kicks kept the pressure on, when Ella Oetinger found Kate Short in space, and Short rose to head the ball home for the 3–2 lead.

From there, the Loggers tightened up defensively, closing out the final minutes to secure the win and send the Leopards home empty-handed.

What Happens Next

Puget Sound returns to action Sunday at 5 PM against College of Idaho, in a match hosted by Whitman College.