By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University outshot Lewis & Clark College 16-8 on its way to defeating the Pioneers 3-1 at Sparks Field on Wednesday, Sept. 27. Emmy Manset (Sr., F, Ventura, CA/Foothill Technology HS) and Shanna Keil (So., M, Danville, CA/San Ramon Valley HS) scored goals to give the Bearcats a 2-0 lead, before Caitlin Gallagher put in a goal for L&C at 80:51. The Bearcats clinched the win 14 seconds later when Kelsey Walker (Sr., M, Westerville, OH/Westerville North HS) scored for Willamette on a penalty kick. All four goals were scored in the second half.
With the Northwest Conference victory, Willamette improved to 6-2-1 on the season, 3-2 in the NWC. Lewis & Clark fell to 1-7-1 overall, 0-5 in the NWC.
"After a quick turnaround from the weekend games, it's great to get a win at home," Willamette Head Coach Hillary Arthur said. "I am proud of how we responded in the second half tonight increasing our tempo and pace of play."
The Bearcats earned a 5-2 advantage in total shots in the first half and forced L&C goalkeeper Megan Sawyer to make three saves. WU starting goalie Kristen Barclay (So., GK, Kenmore, WA/Cedar Park Christian School) had one save in the first half, but neither team registered a quality scoring chance.
In the second half, the scoring opportunities started to arrive. Yume Matsuyama (So., Saitama, Japan/Bunkyo Gakuin Univ. Girls HS) missed high on a shot about two minutes into the half. The Bearcats blocked a shot by Anna Saucedo just over a minute later.
Willamette broke the scoreless tie at 58:10 when Manset gathered a loose ball in the box, beat a defender and shot from 12 yards into the left side-netting. The goal was scored as the teams battled for possession after the ball was recycled into the box following a corner kick by the Bearcats.
A few minutes prior to the goal by Manset, the Bearcats had to sub out Barclay due to an injury, and freshman goalkeeper Grasiela Quevedo-Ramos (Salem, OR/West Salem HS) entered Willamette's goal.
Quevedo-Ramos provided solid play in relief of Barclay. She earned a save on a header by Sauceda at 61:19 and added a second stop at 64:40 on a shot by Paige Barta.
Keil increased WU's lead to 2-0 by scoring at 65:41. Marley Duncan (Sr., F, Pukalani, HIKamehameha School) set-up the goal with a cross from the right side. Keil redirected the ball fron 10 yards into the net.
Maddy Hooker (Fr., D, Bellingham, WA/Sehome HS) of Willamette placed a header shot on goal at 70:26. Sawyer registered a save on the play.
Several minutes later, a header by Sauceda of L&C from close range was pushed over the crossbar by Quevedo-Ramos at 75:57. The Pioneers received a corner kick on the play and added another corner at 76:59.
Lewis & Clark scored its only goal at 80:51 to cut WU's lead to 2-1. Jazz Jones provided a long throw-in from the right side and Saucedo headed the ball onward. Gallagher added a second header from 7 yards out to send the ball high into the net.
When play resumed with the kickoff, Willamette quickly headed upfield, and Manset was tripped from behind in the penalty area. Walker converted the penalty kick that followed to give Willamette a 3-1 advantage.
The Bearcats outshot L&C 11-6 in the second half, including 8-5 in shots on goal. For the game, Willamette placed 11 shots on target, compared to six shots on target for the Pioneers. Quevedo-Ramos earned three saves for the Bearcats and was credited with her first collegiate win (1-0) in goal. Barclay added one save and a WU defender prevented one shot from going into the net. Sawyer achieved eight saves for L&C.
Willamette will return to action on Saturday, Sept. 30 at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon. Game time for the NWC match-up is set for 12 p.m. (PDT).
