By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
FOREST GROVE, Ore. -- Nina Krassner-Cybulski (So., F, Porter Ranch, CA/Agoura HS) scored just 29 seconds into the game, and Willamette University built a 4-0 lead as the contest entered the 59th minute, before the Bearcats held off Pacific University for a 4-2 win in Northwest Conference women's soccer action on Saturday, Oct. 29. Four Bearcats each scored a goal.
With the road win at Hanson Stadium, the Bearcats improved to 6-9-2 overall, 4-8-2 in the NWC. Pacific fell to 5-8-3 on the season and to 2-8-3 in the NWC.
Willamette's goals were scored by Krassner-Cybulski and Sophia Bergstrom (Fy., D, Des Moines, IA/Mount Ranier HS) in the first half, and by Ella Abraham (So., F, Lexington, KY/Lafayette HS) and Erin Denney (Fy., M, San Diego, CA/Point Loma HS) in the second half. Alivia Pittman and Rhyah Jackson each tallied one goal for Pacific.
Krassner-Cybulski scored her team-leading eighth goal only moments after the opening kickoff to give Willamette a 1-0 lead. Jackie Gilroy (Sr., F, Mercer Island, WA/Mercer Island HS) earned an assist on the play. Gilroy sent the ball into the middle of the 18-yard box on a pass from about 22 yards out. Krassner-Cybulski redirected the ball from eight yards into the net just before goalie Kylie Pascual was able to challenge for possession.
Bergstrom added a goal at the 32:14 mark on an assist from Clara Mattison (Sr., M, Burlington, WA/Burlington Edison HS). After getting behind a defender, Mattison passed from near the end line inside the penalty area toward the top of the box. Bergstrom gained control and shot from 20 yards. The low shot eluded Pascual and went into the goal. WU outshot the Boxers 5-2 in the first half, including a 4-1 edge in shots on goal.
The Willamette lead reached 3-0 just under seven minutes into the second half on Abraham's goal at 51:52. The play began with Abraham passing the ball to Sophie Cleland (Jr., M, Eugene, OR/North Eugene HS) on the left wing about 45 yards from goal. Abraham continued to run forward, while Cleland avoided a defender and then provided a through-pass. Abraham gained control in stride and remained behind the defense on her way to slotting a 10-yard attempt into the net.
Denney scored the fourth goal for the Bearcats at 58:01. She stole the ball near the midfield and dribbled forward near the left sideline. She eventually shot from 20 yards at the top left corner of the 18-yard box, sending the ball on a line-drive into the top of the goal.
Pacific scored its first goal on a shot by Pittman as the clock reached 63:46. Jackson cut WU's lead to 4-2 with a goal at 77:31 on an assist from Brooklyn Yano.
The Bearcats finished the game with an 8-5 edge in total shots, including a 6-3 margin in shots on target. Pacific gained a 4-2 lead in corner kicks. WU goalies Rachel Compton (Sr., GK, Lake Stevens, WA/Lake Stevens HS/Skagit Valley College) and Sam Borngasser (So., GK, Grants Pass, OR/Grants Pass HS) split the 90 minutes, with Compton earning one save in the first half. Pascual recorded two saves while playing all 90 minutes for the Boxers.
Willamette is set to host the University of Puget Sound at Sparks Field on Saturday, Nov. 5. Game time at Sparks Field is scheduled for 11 a.m. (PDT).