By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SPOKANE, Wash. -- Willamette University and Whitworth University kept each other off the scoreboard in regulation, but Sydney Wilson (So., M, Olympia, WA/Capital HS) scored for the Bearcats with 3:59 left in the first overtime to defeat the Pirates, 1-0, in a Northwest Conference game on Saturday, Oct. 12. The road win upped Willamette's record to 6-4-1 overall, 5-1-1 (2nd place tie) in the NWC. Whitworth dropped to 2-8-1 overall and to 1-5-1 in the NWC.
Wilson scored after a corner kick by Rachael Moulton (Sr., D, Seattle, WA/Shorecrest HS) went into a group of players in front of the goal. After players on both teams tried to gain control, Wilson found the loose ball and shot it into the top-netting from nine yards out for the sudden-death victory. It was Wilson's second goal and first game-winning goal of the season.
"Exciting finish today, and a well deserved goal for Sydney, who is coming back from an injury. Kristen Barclay did an excellent job cleaning up Whitworth's shots on goal. I am very proud of our relentless work ethic and resilience."
— Willamette Head Coach Hillary Arthur
The Pirates held a slight statistical edge with a 14-11 margin in total shots and a 5-4 advantage in shots on goal. Whitworth finished with an 8-3 surplus in corner kicks.
Shanna Keil (Sr., F, Danville, CA/San Ramon Valley HS) of Willamette led all players with four total shots. Wilson finished with two shots, both on goal. Brixiada Mendoza took three shots for Whitworth, including two shots on goal.
Whitworth outshot Willamette 6-3 in the first half, but the Bearcats gained a 7-6 lead in shots during the second half. The Pirates held a 2-1 advantage in shots during overtime, but WU goalkeeper Kristen Barclay (Sr./Jr., Kenmore, WA/Cedar Park Christian School) earned saves at 91:19 on a shot by Jadyn Baumgartner and at 94:21 on a shot by Mendoza. Less than two minutes later, Wilson scored for the Bearcats.
Barclay was credited with five saves. The Pirates' goalie, Isabelle Arends, registered three saves. The teams accumulated just 15 total fouls, with nine on Whitworth and six on Willamette. Neither team received a yellow card or a red card.
Willamette will continue NWC action on Sunday, Oct. 13 with a game at Whitman College. Kickoff in Walla Walla, Washington, is set for 12 p.m. (PDT).