By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- In a battle of crosstown rivals on Friday, Aug. 30, the Willamette University women's soccer team scored 7:35 into the game and added four goals in the second half, including two in less than a minute at 70:40 and 71:22, on its way to defeating Corban University, 5-1, at Sparks Field. Lacey Jones (Jr., F, Portland, OR/David Douglas HS) tallied WU's first goal. In the second half, Shanna Keil (Sr., F, Danville, CA/San Ramon Valley HS) and Jackie Gilroy (Fy., F/M, Mercer Island, WA/Mercer Island HS) each scored two goals for a 5-0 advantage. Skyla Voegelpohl converted a penalty kick for Corban at 89:33.
Willamette, playing its season opener, moved to 1-0 on the season. The Warriors fell to 0-2.
Jones provided the early excitement for the Bearcats when she took control of a loose ball about 17 yards out on the right side of the penalty area and sent a shot into the upper left corner of the goal. Willamette's 1-0 lead remained intact at halftime.
Willamette continued its strong play when the teams returns to the field, and the Bearcats found their second goal just 6:53 into the second half. Keil scored the goal after intercepting an errant pass about 10 yards in front of the goal. Her first touch sent the ball toward toward the middle of the top line in the six-yard box, where Keil blasted a shot into the right corner of the net.
The score held at 2-0 from the 51:53 mark until Gilroy gave the Bearcats a 3-0 lead at 70:40. On a corner kick, the ball bouinced in front of the goal before Gilroy took a shot that was quickly deflected by Corban goalkeeper Elizabeth Brock. The ball fell back to Gilroy, who tapped it into the goal near the left post.
Just 42 seconds later, Keil scored her second goal of the game and the 18th goal in her Willamette career. Keil moved across the top of the penalty area from the right side into the middle of the field before shooting from 18 yards into the lower right portion of the goal.
Gilroy put in Willamette's final goal at 85:32. She was in the right place following a defensive miscue between Brock and a Corban defender. The defender tried to clear the ball away from the goal line, but Gilroy gained control about six yards out from the left post and easily sent the ball in to the net.
The Warriors recorded their only goal with just 27 seconds left in the game after a foul was called on Willamette inside the box. Vogelpohl took the resulting penalty kick and scored into the upper right corner.
Willamette outshot Corban 15-11 overall and 9-4 on goal. The Bearcats also owned a 52% to 48% edge in total possesion and obtained a 7-3 advantage in corner kicks.
Brock registered four saves for Corban while playing all 90 minutes. Kristen Barclay (Sr., GK, Kenmore, WA/Cedar Park Christian School) started the game in goal for the Bearcats and played the first 45 minutes. She was credited with two saves. Grasiela Quevedo-Ramos (Jr., GK, Salem, OR/West Salem HS) replaced Barclay at halftime and achieved one save in 34:31. Jordan Roue (So., GK, San Jose, CA/Prospect HS) played the final 10:29.
The Bearcats will return to action on Friday, Sept. 6 in Redlands, California, when they take on University of Redlands. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. (PDT). Willamette will play at Chapman University in Orange, California, on Sunday, Sept. 8 at 11 a.m.