By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

McMINNVILLE, Ore. -- Shanna Keil (So., M, Danville, CA/San Ramon Valley HS) scored a goal in the first half, and goalkeeper Kristen Barclay (So., GK, Kenmore, WA/Cedar Park Christian School) registered five saves during the game, as the Willamette University Bearcats defeated archrival Linfeld College, 1-0, in a Northwest Conference road game on Saturday, Sept. 23. Willamette improved to 5-1-1 on the season, 2-1 in the NWC. Linfield dropped to 3-4 overall, 1-2 in the NWC.

Keil scored the game's only goal pn an unassisted play at 24:28. Her shot went into the upper corner of the net at the near post. It was Keil's second goal of the year. She is tied for the team lead with Emmy Manset (Sr., F, Ventura, CA/Foothill Technology HS) and Lacey Jones (Fr., F, Portland, OR/David Douglas HS).

Barclay recorded two saves in the first half and three saves in the second half. She has achieved a 0.95 goals against average this season to go along with 29 saves and a .853 save percentage.

It also was Barclay who led the Willamette defense on restarts. Setting the wall and helping establish marking assignments was a key part of Barclay's efforts over the final 45 minutes, when Linfield earned seven corner kicks to go along with many free kicks and several long throw-ins, as the Wildcats pressed to get an equalizing goal.

Barclay and the defense stepped up to the challenge. Well set defensive walls led to several free kicks going wide of the goal or too high. The Bearcats also benefited from a wide shot on a penalty kick, when Natalie Amara's penalty attempt at 56:35 went wide to the right.

"It was a great game today and a great result," Willamette Head Coach Hillary Arthur said. "Kristen Barclay had an outstanding 90 minutes in the net today. She kept us in the game, as Linfeld had numerous free kicks within scoring range, and she did well keeping those shots out of the net."

Linfield outshot WU 6-4 in the second half, but each team had three shots on goal during the period. Manset had two solid chances for Willamette at 73:30 and 74:30, but goalkeeper Sarah Bailey saved both shots to keep Linfield close. The first shot by Manset followed a spin move at the top of the box that created space for a left-footed shot. Bailey made a partial save, and the ball slowly rolled toward the goal line and the goalkeeper's left. Bailey scrambled to fall on the ball and prevent Marley Duncan (Sr., F, Pukalani, HI/Kamehameha School) from taking a rebound shot.

The last chance for Linfield to tie the score was at 88:59 on a free kick by Michalya Sponsel. The shot went off Willamette's defense wall and the Wildcats were unable to create another shot before the Bearcats gained possession. Willamette was able to get the ball to the corner at Linfield's defensive end and run out the final 30 seconds on the clock.

Willamette and Linfield each took 10 shots during the game, but WU edged out the Wildcats 6-5 in shots on goal. Barclay's five save were matched by Bailey, who also prevented five shots from entering the net.

The Bearcats will return home to take on Pacific Lutheran University on Sunday, Sept. 24. Kickoff at Sparks Field is set for 12 p.m. (PDT).