Abraham Scores in 5th Minute, as Bearcats Tie Pacific, 1-1, in Home Finale

Ella Abraham (Sr., Lexington, KY/Lafayette HS)
Ella Abraham (Sr., Lexington, KY/Lafayette HS)

Salem, Ore. - The final home match of the 2024 season for Women's Soccer ended in a 1-1 draw with Pacific University as each team scored early and neither was able to find the back of the net again during the final 85 minutes.

The Boxers started the game aggressively, getting the first shot just over one minute into the match and a goal in the third minute when Miralla Garcia scored off an assist from Makaila Takahashi.  

The Bearcats then took their turn on the attack and a goal by Ella Abraham just two minutes later evened the score at 1-1.  Abraham's goal came from a failed clearance after a Bearcat corner kick as she sent a well-placed shot to the far post.

Willamette stayed on the attack throughout the rest of the first half and outshot Pacific 9-1 the rest of the way.  The Bearcats couldn't capitalize on those offensive chances and the match went to halftime still tied.

The shots evened up during the beginning of the second half as each team had opportunities to score, but were held off by solid goalkeeping for each side and the match ended 1-1. Sam Borngasser played the full 90 minutes in goal for Willamette and made three saves.

Willamette outshot Pacific 15-10 for the match, 5-4 on goal.  Claire Warthen led the Bearcats with four shots, followed by Celeste Stanziola with three and Reagan Doty and Abraham with two each.

Willamette will conclude its regular season on the road, as the Bearcats take on the rival Wildcats of Linfield University on Saturday, November 9, in a kickoff scheduled for 1:45 PM in McMinnville.