By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

FOREST GROVE, Ore. -- Led by Maddie Garcia (So., MID, Encinitas, CA/San Diegito Academy) with five goals and Catie Kawamura (So., MID, San Diego, CA/San Diego International Studies) with four goals, the Willamette University women's lacrosse team never trailed Pacific University in a 14-9 victory over the Boxers on Sunday, March 21 in Northwest Conference action. The Bearcats were tied three times, but took the lead for good at 4-3 with 10:50 remaining in the first half. The Boxers trailed by a 7-4 margin at halftime and were unable to get closer than two goals in the second half. WU ended the game on a 5-2 run.

With the win, Willamette improved to 3-0 for the year and to 2-0 in the NWC. Pacific ended the game with a 0-4 record, including 0-2 in the NWC.

Garcia achieved the game's first goal at the 22:12 mark in the opening half. The Bearcats also led 2-1 on a goal by Anabel Ohsman (Sr., ATT/MID, Snohomish, WA/Glacier Peak HS) and at 3-2 on a goal by Kawamura, before the Boxers tied the score for the third time on a goal from Sydney Bierenkoven at 13:47.

The next two goals were recorded by Garcia about one minute apart. They gave the Bearcats a 5-3 edge with 9:54 remaining in the half. In addition to Garcia's three goals in the first half, Willamette received two goals from Kawamura, including the final goal of the half with 12 seconds on the clock.

A goal by Vivan Mai, her second score of the day, pulled the Boxers within 7-5 just 22 seconds into the second half. Two quick goals a couple of minutes later, scored by Kawamura at 27:38 and Ohsman at 27:24, increased WU's advantage to 9-5. Pacific reduced the margin to 9-7 with a free-position goal by Amber Lancia at 21:35 and a goal by Hyland Cullen-Musengo at 19:20.

Willamette registered the next two scores, provided by Garcia and Oshman, to gain an 11-7 margin with 14:12 left to start the Bearcats' game-clinching 5-2 run. WU's final three goals were scored by Kawamura, Garcia, and Miranda Piros (Jr., ATT/MID, Newberg, OR/Newberg HS).

In addition to Garcia's five goals and Kawamura's four scores, the Bearcats also received three goals from Ohsman. Kawamura earned two assists and topped all players with six points. Bierenkoven, Mai, Lancia, and Katrina Boyd each scored three goals for Pacific.

Willamette outshot the Boxers, 27-20, and held a 21-18 edge in shots on goal. Starting goalkeeper Shelby Sawyer (So., GK, Marysville, WA/Bio Med Academy) of Willamette was credited with two saves in the first half. Katie Hill (So., GK, Belmont, CA/Carmont HS) contributed seven saves for WU in the second half. Madison Ivey of Pacific played all 60 minutes in goal and accumulated seven saves.

Emma Canchola (Jr., DEF, Oregon City OR/Oregon City HS) topped Willamette with three ground balls and one caused turnvoer. Kawamura and Analise Wilson (Fy., MID, Temecula, CA/Chaparral HS) each registered five draw controls. Mai earned four draw controls for Pacific.

The Bearcats will host George Fox University in NWC games on Saturday, March 27 and Sunday, March 28. Game time is set for 1 p.m. (PDT) each day.