By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

McMINNVILLE, Ore. -- Willamette University attacker Tati Klenk (Sr., Truckee, CA/Tahoe Truckee HS) scored eight goals and goalkeeper Shelby Sawyer (Sr., GK, Marysville, WA/Bio Med Academy) made 14 saves, as the Bearcats rolled past Linfield University, 20-4, in a Northwest Conference game on Sunday, April 9. Lily Bachiochi (So., ATT, Henderson, NV/Coronado HS) added three goals and four assists. Willamette led 12-2 at halftime.

The Bearcats advanced their record to 10-4 on the season, including 7-3 in the NWC. In addition, Willamette clinched a berth in the 2023 NWC Women's Lacrosse Tournament, which will be the first postseason tournament in the NWC in the history of the sport. The NWC Tournament is set for Saturday, April 22 and Sunday, April 23, and will be hosted by the regular season champion.

"We couldn't be prouder of the progress we have made throughout the season and the growth we have shown in the last few weeks," commented Willamette Head Women's Lacrosse Coach Sarah Lautenbach. "We continue to get better and set new standards for our expectations.

The top four teams in the standings will qualify for the NWC Tournament. Willamette is third in the NWC with one week left in the regular season. George Fox University leads the NWC at 10-0, while Whitman College is second at 8-1. Willamette's 7-3 mark places the Bearcats three games in front of Whitworth University, which holds fourth place at 4-6.

Klenk set Willamette's record for goals in a season after scoring seven against Pacific University on Saturday, as she reached 49 goals. After Sunday's game, Klenk has scored 57 goals, making her the first Bearcat to earn 50 or more goals in a season. In the last three games -- all victories -- Klenk has scored 21 goals, including six versus California Lutheran University on Tuesday, April 4.

"Our attack did not hesitate," Lautenbach noted. "They moved the ball well, challenged hard, but stayed patient for the right look. Our defense was consistent to capitalize on turnvoers and ground balls. They played with great anticipation to protect the 8-meter (arc). Shelby stepped up, making big plays and providing huge momentum for our unit."

Sawyer was stellar in the nets against the Wildcats. Her 14 saves kept Linfield off the scoreboard for huge chunks of the game. The Wildcats scored with 5:24 left in the first quarter to pull within 3-1, but didn't score again until 12:29 to go in the half. Linfield's third goal was at the 7:27 mark in the fourth quarter, and the last goal was scored with 1:11 to play.

One great save by Sawyer was on a free position shot by Mackenzie Kulick with 8:08 left in the third quarter. As Kulick shot, Sawyer's goalie stick met Kulick's stick forcing the shot wide and allowed Willamette to gain control.

Games with high save totals are often big wins for the other team, but not in this case, as Sawyer kept Linfield from gaining any momentum. Her game total of 14 saves tied her for seventh on WU's all-time list. Sawyer set Willamette's single game record for saves with 18 against Occidental College on March 23, 2022.

Klenk's eight goals placed her second on WU's all-time list. Willamette's record was set by Anabel Ohsman with nine goals against the University of Dallas on March 24, 2019.

Willamette moved out to a 4-1 lead in the first quarter at Linfield. Klenk scored the first goal just 30 seconds into the contest and Kawamura tacked on goals at 11:51 and 8:52. After Joelle Tran registered Linfield's first goal, Klenk scored again with 1:39 on the clock.

Linfield earned the first goal of the second quarter on a shot by Maizri Chandler to reduce WU's lead to 4-2. The Wildcats did not score again until midway through the fourth quarter following a 15-0 run by the Bearcats.

After creating two goals in the first quarter, Klenk reached her eight-goal total by scoring four times in the second quarter and two times in the third. Willamette continued to build on its 10-goal halftime lead, as the Bearcats achieved a 5-0 scoring margin in the third quarter for a 17-2 advantage.

Kawamura scored four goals, while Claire Kisielnicki (Fy., ATT, Manitou Springs, CO/Manitou Springs HS) and Bachiochi each scored three goals. With her four assists, Bachiochi recorded seven points. Kendyl Jennings (Jr., MID, Keizer, OR/McNary HS) supplied a goal and an assist, while Maddie Garcia (Sr., MID, Encinitas, CA/San Dieguito Academy) tacked on one goal. WU outshot Linfield 32-21 with a 26-18 lead in shots on goal. The Wildcats were topped by Leah Stednick with two goals. Chandler provided one goal and one assist.

Willamette will close out the regular season with two home games. The Bearcats will take on Whitworth at Sparks Field on Saturday, April 15 at 1 p.m. (PDT), before hosting Whitman on Sunday, April 16, also at 1 p.m.