By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
ORANGE, Calif. -- Willamette University outshot Chapman University 14-8 and finished with a 6-0 advantage in corner kicks during their women's soccer game on Sunday, Sept. 8, but the Bearcats fell to the Panthers, 1-0, at Wilson Field. Chapman, which earned a narrow 6-5 edge in shots on target, remained undefeated at 4-0. Willamette fell to 1-2 on the season.
The game's only goal was scored by Emmie Farber of Chapman and assisted by Anna Montemor at 13:15. Montemor ran onto a loose ball about 40 yards from the goal, and kept possession for about 10 yards as she moved forward. After Montemor dribbled to within 30 yards, Farber took control of the ball, continued the attack, and shot from the top of the penalty area into the lower right corner of the net.
Farber shot wide of the net at 16:25 in an attempt to double Chapman's lead. The Bearcats had two close-in changes to score at 19:11 and 19:20. Emma Blackburn (So., F, Los Altos, CA/Saint Francis HS) took the first shot, but it was blocked by a defender. Sydney Wilson (So., M, Olympia, WA/Capital HS) follow-up with another shot, but it also was blocked. Gena Main (Sr., F, San Francisco, CA/Gateway HS/Bryn Mawr College) forced CU goalkeeper Kelsey Bland to make a save at 25:20.
After outshooting the Panthers 8-4 in the first half, the Bearcats claimed a 6-4 advantage in total shots during the second half. Blackburn achieve a shot at 74:44 that was saved by Bland.
Later, the teams combined for three shots on target in the final four minutes. At 86:18, Farber sent a shot at the goal that was saved by Willamette goalie Kristen Barclay. Fionn Fortune (Sr., M/F, Alexandria, VA/St. Stephen's & St. Agnes/Hamilton Coll.) connected for a shot at 88:07 that Bland kept out of the net. Riley Pidgeon of Chapman took the game's final shot at 89:42, but Barclay responded with a save.
During the game, Barclay and Bland each made five saves. Barclay attained four of her saves in the second half. Bland had three saves in the first half and added two more in the second half. Farber led all players with three total shots, and placed two of her shots on goal. For the Bearcats, Blackburn, Wilson, Main, Shanna Keil (Sr., F, Danville, CA/San Ramon Valley HS) and Clara Mattison (Fy., M, Burlington, WA/Burlington Edison HS) each took two shots.
The Bearcats will battle Trinity University (Texas) on Sunday, Sept. 15 in Tacoma, Washington, a neutral field at the University of Puget Sound. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. (PDT). Trinity, currently 3-0 on the season, is ranked #18 in the NCAA Division III Poll released by United Soccer Coaches.