Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Shanna Keil (Jr., F, Danville, CA/San Ramon Valley HS) scored two goals, including one directly from a corner kick, to lead Willamette University to a 4-0 victory over Fontbonne University (Mo.), in the season opener for both teams on Friday, Aug. 31 at Sparks Field. It was a tremendous start for the Willamette women's soccer team in the first regular season game for the Bearcats on the newly renovated field. Willamette moved to 1-0, while Fontbonne dropped to 0-1.

It was an all-around performance for the Bearcats, who received strong efforts from the team's experienced players as well as the freshmen. The Bearcats controlled most of the action and outshot the Griffins 25-6 overall and 13-5 in shots on goal. Willamette held a 2-0 halftime lead after a gaining an 11-2 shooting advantage over the first 45 minutes.

Sydney Wilson (Fr., M, Olympia, WA/Capital HS) scored first at 20:28 on a shot from three-yard out near the right post after a corner kick was deflected. Emma Blackburn (Fr., F, Los Altos, CA/Saint Francis HS) added WU's second goal at 34:16 on a 14-yard shot past on-rushing goalie Mary Bees following a 50-yard pass from the rigth side of the field by Isabel Duxbury (So., D, Seattle, WA/University Prep). Wilson and Blackburn each scored in their first regular season game for the Bearcats.

Keil advanced Willamette's margin to 3-0 at 52:26 when she took a corner kick from the attacking right side and sent a line drive that entered the net near the upper left corner of the goal. Keil completed the scoring just 4:18 later when she made a nifty run down the left sideline, moved into the box, and scored from eight yards into the lower right corner at 56:44.

For the game, Keil amassed six total shots, including four shots on goal. Lacey Jones (So., F, Portland, OR/David Douglas HS) took four shots for the Bearcats with two shots on target. Molly Kovarik and Kayla Collie each took two shots on goal for the Griffins.

Fontbonne goalkeeper Mary Beers made nine saves for the Griffins. For Willamette, starting goalkeeper Kristen Barclay (Jr., GK, Kenmore, WACedar Park Christian School) tallied two saves while playing the first 45 minutes and earning the win. Jordan Roue (Fr., GK, San Jose, CA/Prospect HS) played the first 25:50 of the second half. Grasiela Quevedo-Ramos (So., GK, Salem, OR/West Salem HS) was in goal for the final 19:10. All three WU 'keepers shared the shutout.

Willamette will remain at home to take on Northwest Christian University (Ore.) on Sunday, Sept. 2. Game time is set for 2 p.m. (PDT) at Sparks Field.