By Timothy Walsh, Athletics Communications Writer
WALLA WALLA, Wash. -- Alissa Soo scored in the 11th minute, and the early tally proved enough to send Whitman College to a 1-0 victory over Willamette University in a Northwest Conference women's soccer match at the Whitman Athletic Complex on Saturday, Oct. 24.
The Missionaries improved to 2-9-5 overall, 2-5-5 (11 points) in the NWC. The Bearcats fell to 6-8-1 on the year, 6-5-0 (18 points) in the NWC.
With fourth-place Linfield College's 1-1 tie with Whitworth University, the Bearcats remain in sole possession of third place in the conference. The Bearcats are seven points behind second-place Pacific Lutheran University, and trail first-place University of Puget Sound by ten points.
Soo's goal followed a flurry of early activity that saw Whitman take five corner kicks in the game's first three minutes.
Just under eight minutes later, Soo broke the deadlock with her first goal of the season at 10:20, placing her shot past Willamette's Emily Sewall (Jr., GK, Petaluma, CA/Casa Grande HS) and into the back of the net.
The Bearcats responded with a lengthy spell of dangerous possession. At 15:33, Kate Matthews (Fr., M, Bainbridge, WA/Bainbridge HS) forced Whitman goalkeeper Haley Case into a save, while four minutes later, Emmy Manset (So., F, Ventura, CA/Foothill Technology HS) saw her shot go high.
Jaclyn Parnell (Jr., D, West Richland, WA/Richland HS) put shots on target in the 23rd and 24th minutes, but Case made a pair of saves to keep the Missionaries in front. Later, just before halftime, Case made another good save on a shot by Karin Hokanson (Sr., F/M, Woodinville, WA/International Community School).
In the 42nd and 71st minutes, Whitman twice came within inches of expanding its lead, only to be denied by Sewall's crossbar. Later, Sewall kept the Bearcats within striking distance with a fine save on an 82nd-minute attempt by Kelsey Peck.
Despite recording five shots in the second period, including a 74th-minute attempt by Jill Phillips (Sr., D/GK, Fairbanks, AK/West Valley HS) that was blocked, Willamette was unable to force Case into additonal saves.
The Missionaries finished with a 16-10 advantage in total shots, and held a 7-1 margin in corner kicks. Neither team earned any caution cards.
The Bearcats will wrap up their Eastern Washington road trip with a match at Whitworth University on Sunday, Oct. 25. Kickoff is set for 12:00 p.m. (PDT) at the Whitworth Soccer Field.
