By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
IRVING, Texas -- Anabel Ohsman (So., ATT, Shohomish, WA/Glacier Peak HS) scored nine goals, and Willamette University rallied from an 8-4 deficit, as the Bearcats defeated University of Dallas, 18-14, on Saturday, March 24. The Bearcats scored three of the last four goals in the first half to pull within 9-7, then opened the second half with a 5-0 run for a 12-9 lead.
The combined 8-1 run by the Bearcats gave Willamette momentum and control of the game. The Crusaders never got closer than two goals the rest of the way. After Dallas cut the margin to 12-10 and 14-12, the Bearcats closed out the contest with a 4-2 run.
"We made a few changes defensively and on the draw throughout the game, but more importantly we needed to embrace the fight earlier," Willamette Head Coach Sarah Lautenbach said. "Once we made that adjustment as a team, we were in a much better position to compete."
Willamette improved to 2-3 on the season, while Dallas dropped to 3-7. The Bearcats will play again on Tuesday, March 26 at Southwestern University (Texas). Game time in Georgetown, Texas, is set for 4 p.m. (CDT)/2 p.m. (PDT).
The Bearcats have only played five games in their short history of women's lacrosse, but Ohsman's nine goals are an impressive school record. It's essentially a triple hat trick ... not just three goals, but three times three goals. She broke the previous record of four goals, set by herself, Lexie Andrade (So., ATT, Petaluma, CA/Casa Grande HS) and Miranda Piros (Fr., MID, Newberg, OR/Newberg HS) in the season opener against Johnson & Wales University (Colo.).
Ohsman also set the school record for total points against Dallas, as she finished with 10 points, including one assist. The previous WU record was six points by Piros against J&C on the strength of four goals and two assists.
"We had been working on some specific off-ball movement all week in practice, which gave Anabel more opportunities," Lautenbach commented. "She played consistently from beginning to end, placing and finishing her shots as well as getting herself involved to help in transition."
Appropriately enough, Ohsman scored the first goal just 1:11 into the game at 28:49. Alayna Newland (So., ATT, Everett, WA/Archbishop Murphy HS) provided an assist on the play. Lexi Leite of UD, who tallied six goals in the game, scored the next two goals 21 seconds apart at 27:28 and 27:07 to give the Crusader a 2-1 edge.
Goals by Piros at 21:14 and Newland at 18:42 propelled Willamette back in front at 3-2. Dallas countered with two goals of its own, ending with a score by Leite at 12:56. Ohsman tied the game at 4-4 with her second goal of the day at 10:03.
Erika Keever earned back-to-back goals to start the Crusaders on a 4-0 run to grab an 8-4 lead at the 5:39 mark. Ohsman countered with a goal 26 seconds later at 5:09, and then scored another goal at 4:10, as the Bearcats pulled within 8-6. Leite hit the net for Dallas with 3:46 to go, but Andrade scored the final goal of the half for WU with 2:54 to play.
The Bearcats surged out to a 12-9 lead after recording five goals ealry in the second half. Andrade started the barrage at 29:11 and Ohsman tacked on a goal at 28:35. Andrade scored again at 28:10 and Ohsman put the ball into the net at 24:10. Newland completed the run by scoring on a free position shot with 21:27 on the clock.
Camryn Dougherty broke the run by scoring on a shot for Dallas with 20:12 remaininig. Oshman produced her seventh goal of the game at 17:54 to give Willamette a 13-10 lead, and then Piros scored 41 seconds later to increase the margin to 14-10.
Keever and Leite scored to pull the Crusaders within two goals at 14-12, but Willamette earned the next three goals, including two by Ohsman, to build a 17-12 margin with 9:58 left.
Ohsman's nine goals and one assist paced the Bearcats. Andrade added four goals, while Newland provided two goals and two assists. Prios scored twice. For Dallas, Leite's six scores led the way, with Keever and Emily Pauletti each earning three goals. Dougherty finished with two goals.
The Bearcats amassed 37 shots, including 31 on goal. Dallas created 27 shots with 22 on target. The Crusaders' goalkeeper, Lizz Winkler, made 13 saves, including eight in the first half. WU goalie Kara Phillips contributed eight saves.
Willamette gained a 20-13 lead in draw controls, including 11-6 in the second half. Emma Canchola (Fr., DEF, Oregon City OR/Oregon City HS) led all players with 11 draw controls. The Bearcats also won the battle for ground balls by a 22-13 margin. WU forced Dallas into 25 turnovers, while the Bearcats lost the ball 19 times.
Big Moment of the Game for Willamette
Emma Canchola helped Willamette achieve a 20-13 margin
in draw controls during the game. She led all players with 11
draw controls. Nine of Canchola's draw controls were earned
in the second half, when she helped the Bearcats limit Dallas
to just six draw controls over the final 30 minutes.