By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
PORTLAND, Ore. -- Willamette University and Lewis & Clark College played to a 0-0 tie in Northwest Conference women's soccer action on Wednesday, Oct. 26 at Griswold Stadium. Both goalkeepers earned shutouts, as Rachel Compton (Sr., GK, Lake Stevens, WA/Lake Stevens HS/Skagit Valley College) registered four saves for the Bearcats and Sophia Young made six saves for the Pioneers.
The Bearcats ended the evening with a 5-9-2 overall record, including a 3-8-2 mark in the NWC. Lewis & Clark moved to 4-6-6 on the season, 4-4-5 in the NWC, as the Pioneers have accumulated more ties than wins or losses in NWC play. L&C holds fifth place in the NWC standings with 17 points (three points per win, one point per tie), one point behind fourth-place Whitworth (5-4-3, 18 points). Willamette is tied with Linfield University (2-5-5) for sixth place with 11 points.
"Tonight's game was a very hard fought battle by both teams," Willamette Head Women's Soccer Coach Lisa Ljubicic said. "Our team did very well in making adjustments in the second half. We were more dangerous in the final third while still defending well all over the field. We are disappointed that we weren't able to convert our chances tonight, but we're happy to gain a point with a tie and earn another shutout."
Willamette has kept opponents off the scoreboard seven times this season, including four solo shutouts and one shared shutout by Compton. She owns a 1.43 goals against average and has contributed 36 saves.
On Wednesday, the first half ended with Lewis & Clark holding a 4-1 lead in total shots, as each team managed just one shot on goal. Both teams took eight shots in the second half, with Willamette placing five shots on goal, while the Pioneers created three shots on target.
The increased offensive output by both teams in the second half led to Compton making three of her four saves in the final 45 minutes, while Young provided L&C with five of her six saves. The first save of the second half was by Compton on a shot by Brecklyn Beighle of L&C at 54:06. Young was soon forced into her first two saves of the half, as she stopped shots by Braeden Glaser (Jr., F, Battle Ground, WA/Prairie HS) at 56:54 and by Erin Denney (Fy., M, San Diego, CA/Point Loma HS) at 61:23.
Young was credited with a save on a shot by Clara Mattison (Sr., M, Burlington, WA/Burlington Edison HS) at 66:09 and Compton rejected a shot by Abby Hayes of L&C at 67:41. Young also tacked on saves at 74:32 and 76:22. Compton earned the final save of the game on a shot by Lainey Honma for the Pioneers at 85:07. Denney took the last shot of the night for Willamette. It went wide left at 86:20.
For the game, L&C gained a 12-9 lead in total shots, while Willamette finished with a 6-4 edge in shots on goal. Denney topped WU with four total shots, including three shots on goal. Beighle led L&C with four total shots and two shots on target. The Bearcats recorded a 3-2 margin in corner kicks.
Willamette is slated to play at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon, on Saturday, Oct. 29. Game time is set for 12 p.m. (PDT).