By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University trailed Aurora University (Illinois) by a 5-1 margin at halftime, and starting goalkeeper Katie Hill (Fy., GK, Belmont, CA/Carmont HS) recorded 11 saves for the Bearcats in 48:26 of action, but the Spartans pulled away in the second half for a 16-1 win on Tuesday, March 3 at Sparks Field. Aurora evened its record at 1-1, while Willamette opened its season at 0-1. Both teams compete in NCAA Division III.

Alayna Newland (Jr., ATT, Everett, WA/Archbishop Murphy HS) scored Willamette's only goal with 7:56 left in the first half to pull the Bearcats within 3-1. Miranda Piros (So., ATT/MID, Newberg, OR/Newberg HS) earned an assist on the scoring play.

Aurora took a 3-0 lead by scoring three times in just under seven minutes. The first goal was recorded nearly 10 minutes into the game a shot by Monique Gibson hit the net at the 20:11 mark. Claire Carlson, who led all players with five goals during the game, scored next for the Spartans at 19:04. Gibson added Aurora's third goal at 13:25 on a free position shot.

Newland's goal gave Willamette some momentum, but the Spartans scored twice in a 50-second span to regain control before the halftime break. Carlson registered her second goal of the game after receiving a pass from Jalyn Yaukovitz for a 4-1 lead with 5:22 on the clock. Janne Brown earned a goal with 4:32 remaining to increase the margin to 5-1. Gibson was credited with an assist on the play.

Three quick goals a few minutes into the second half allowed Aurora to start pulling away. Bailey Simpson scored the first two goals within 20 seconds of each other at 26:53 and 26:33. Yauikovitz tallied the third goal at 25:34 on an assist from Gibson. The next two goals were achieved by Carlson at 19:21 and 15:59, but not until after she had a goal disallowed at 23:11 due to an illegal stick. She later scored her fifth goal of the game with 5:28 to go.

In addition to Carlson's five goals, the Spartans received four goals from Yaukovitz. Gibson scored three goals.

The Spartans outshot Willamette, 45-9, including 28-4 in shots on goal. Hill earned her 11 saves before Shelby Sawyer (Fy., Marysville, WA/Bio Med Academy) went into the net with 11:34 remaining in the game. Sawyer achieved one save. Reilly Armstrong recorded three saves for the Spartans. Aurora claimed a 20-10 advantage in ground balls, but held a much slimmer lead in draw controls at 10-9.

Willamette will return to action on Saturday, March 7, when the Bearcats will play their Northwest Conference opener at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington. Game time is set for 3 p.m. (PST). The Bearcats will play at home on Sunday, March 8 against NWC opponent Pacific University, with the action starting at Sparks Field at 1 p.m. (PDT).