By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- The Willamette University women's lacrosse team is excited about returning to action on Saturday, Feb. 27 against crosstown rival Corban University. The game will be played at Sparks Field at 2 p.m. (PST). Willamette will then have three weeks off before starting Northwest Conference play at Pacific University on March 20.
In 2020, the Bearcats went 2-1 before the remainder of the season was canceled due to COVID-19. The Bearcats lost to Aurora University (Illinois) in non-conference play, then defeated Pacific University and the University of Puget Sound for a 2-0 NWC record. During its first season of competition in 2019, Willamette played 16 games, so the Bearcats have played 19 games overall.
ATTACKERS
Several highly-skilled attackers return for the Bearcats. Leading the way are Anabel Ohsman (Sr., ATT, Snohomish, WA/Glacier Peak HS), Miranda Piros (Jr., ATT, Newberg, OR/Newberg HS), and Catie Kawamura (So., ATT/MID, San Diego, CA/San Diego Int'l Studies). Ohsman is Willamette's all-time goal scorer with 47 goals overall, including a school record 46 goals in 2019. Piros follows closely with 46 career goals (37 in 2019).
Career leaders in assists are Ohsman with nine and Alayna Newland (Sr., ATT, Everett, WA/Archbishop Murphy HS) with eight (all in 2019). Ohsman was chosen Second Team All-NWC in 2019.
Kawamura excelled as a first-year player in 2020, as she hit the nets for nine goals and also provided one assist. She scored five goals against Puget Sound and scored four goals against Pacific. In addition, Kawamura accumulated 10 draw controls. Garcia tallied six goals last season, including four goals versus Pacific.
"While we only competed in three games her first year, it is undeniable that Catie is a significant impact player for us and someone we will look to for big things on the attacking end," Willamette Head Women's Lacrosse Coach Sarah Lautenbach said. "We are excited for our sophomores to finally get that opportunity to showcase what they can do."
Lexie Andrade (Sr., ATT/MID, Petaluma, CA/Casa Grande HS) scored 10 goals in 2019 and has 11 goals in her career. Other returning attackers are Laura Kelly (Jr., Mountain View, CA/Mountain View HS) and Tati Klenk (So., ATT/MID Truckee, CA/Tahoe Truckee HS). Kelly contributed 10 goals and five assists in 2019 and registered two goals in 2020. Klenk saw action in all three games as a first-year player last spring.
MIDFIELDERS
Many of Willamette's attackers can also compete in the midfield. In 2019, Ohsman accumulated 38 draw controls, 26 ground balls, and caused 11 turnovers, while Kelly earned 15 ground balls and forced 10 turnovers. Piros supplied 33 draw controls and 14 ground balls in 2019. Kawamura registered 10 draw controls to go with two ground ball and two caused turnovers during Willamette's three games last spring. Also returning in the midfield is Maddie Garcia (So., MID, Encinitas. CA/San Dieguito Academy). In 2020, Garcia earned three ground balls, two draw controls and three forced turnovers.
DEFENDERS
Leading the Willamette defense will be Emma Canchola (Jr., DEF, Oregon City, OR/Oregon City HS), Victoria Glidden (Jr., DEF, Dover, NH/Phillips Exeter Academy), and Nina Hernandez (Sr., D/M, Valencia, CA/William S. Hart HS). Hernandez also can contribute in the midfield.
Canchola was named First Team All-NWC in 2019 after setting WU records with 66 ground balls, 47 draw controls, and 33 caused turnovers. She begins the 2021 season with career totals of 70 ground balls, 54 draw controls, and 36 forced turnovers.
Glidden has played in 18 games during her career. She has achieved seven goals to go along with 26 ground balls and eight caused turnovers.
Hernandez has achieved 11 ground balls and seven caused turnovers in her career. She has played in all 19 games. Other returning defenders are Ali Mackie (Jr. D, Santa Cruz, CA/Georgiana Bruce Kirby Prep) and Kiana Gottschalk (So., D, Bend, OR/Bend HS).
GOALKEEPERS
The Bearcats have two sophomore goalkeepers who split time in goal in 2020 and will guide the defensive efforts this spring. They are Shelby Sawyer (Marysville, WA/Bio Med Academy) and Katie Hill (Belmont, CA/Carlmont HS). Sawyer earned 17 saves and a 7.87 goals against average. Hill was credited with 16 saves and an 11.87 goals against average. Sawyer recorded nine saves versus Puget Sound. Hill achieved 11 saves in the game against Aurora.
FIRST-YEAR PLAYERS
Willamette's roster features quality first-year players in Analise Wilson (MID, Temecula, CA/Chaparral HS), Kendyl Jennings (MID, Keizer, OR/McNary HS), and Jade Kampen (MID, Eugene, OR/South Eugene HS).
Wilson brings tremendous energy in the midfield and is a solid 1-vs-1 defender. She also is skilled on the attack and has a natural ability to score goals. She will contribute all over the field.
Jennings provides the Bearcats with speed and endurance as a midfielder. She has great vision of the field and will be a key player in the transition game.
Kampen is a multi-talented athlete who can play in the midfield or on low defense. Her speed is a plus for the Bearcats. She also competes aggressively on defense. She will be a key player for Willamette in gaining control of 50/50 ground balls.
