>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

Jenna Montgomery led the La Grande girls soccer team to a 2-0 win over Ontario Thursday.

The precipitation held during the boys’ game prior to the start of the girls’ game. But, the sky opened up as soon as the whistle blew for the girls game.

The first snow of the season fell with a mixture of wind and rain. However, the girls played on, and played on well.

“I thought we played great despite the bad weather,” La Grande head coach Sarah Androlewicz said. “I thought the girls played solid the whole game.”

The first goal of the match was off a cross from Kelsy Mitchell with just minutes left in the first half.

Montgomery’s second goal came in the 63rd minute off of a free kick outside of the 18-yard box.

The senior lifted the ball just over the hands of Ontario goalkeeper, Megan Schram.

“We really came out strong after halftime and sort of set the tempo. I’m glad we were able to get a goal out of it,” Androlewicz said.

The key factor for La Grande might have been the defense. A rarely mentioned part of La Grande’s success this season has started in the back.

Defenders Echo Knight, Chrissie Younggren, Darcie Landendorff and BreAnna Kennedy have been the core for La Grande this year.

This was the fifth shutout of the season for La Grande.

On Sept. 18, La Grande fell at Ontario, 2-0.

Ontario entered the game in second-place in the Greater Oregon League standings. La Grande currently sits in fourth-place, half a game behind Riverside.

The Pirates won Thursday at Umatilla, 4-1.

La Grande’s next match will be in Pendleton Tuesday.

La Grande defeated the Buckaroos 5-0 on Sept. 9 in La Grande.