By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Lily Bachiochi (Fy., ATT, Henderson, NV/Coronado HS) scored five goals and earned three assists for eight total points, as the Willamette University Bearcats rolled past Whitworth University, 17-3, in a Northwest Conference women's lacrosse game on Saturday, March 5 at Sparks Field. Bachiochi was one of three Bearcats with four or more goals against the Pirates. Laura Kelly (Sr., ATT, Mountain View, CA/Mountain View HS) and Maddie Garcia (Jr., MID, Encinitas, CA/San Dieguito Academy) each scored four times. Analise Wilson (So., MID, Temecula, CA/Chaparral HS) matches Bachiochi with a game-high three assists for the Bearcats.

With the win, Willamette improved to 2-0 overall, 1-0 in the NWC. Whitworth dropped to 1-2 on the season, 0-1 in the NWC.

The Bearcats surged out to a 7-1 lead in the first quarter. Catie Kawamura (Jr., ATT, San Diego, CA/San Diego International Studies) opened the scoring just 44 seconds into the game and Garcia added another goal just over a minute later. Whitworth cut the margin to 2-1 with 12:04 left in the quarter on a goal by Anna Chase, but Willamette scored the last five goals of the quarter. The opening period featured three goals by Garcia and one each by Kawamura, Laura Kelly (Sr., ATT, Mountain View, CA/Mountain View HS), Bachiochi, and Tati Klenk (Jr., ATT, Truckee, CA/Tahoe Truckee HS).

Willamette extended its run to eight unanswered goals by scoring three times in the first 10 minutes of the second 15-minute quarter. Kelly tallied all three goals at 9:29, 6:01, and 5:02, as the lead reached 10-1. Liliann Penfield scored for the Pirates at the 4:02 mark, before Bachiochi recorded a goal for the Bearcats with 3:04 to play in the half. WU remained in front 11-2 at halftime. At the break, Kelly had four goals for the Bearcats, while Garcia had three. Bachiochi contributed two goals and two assists in the first half.

Bachiocho scored the only goal for either team in the third quarter on a free position shot with 6:13 on the clock. She added Willamette's 13th goal with 13:50 left in the final quarter. A goal by Abby Hahn of Whitworth reduced the Bearcats' advantage to 13-3 with 10:45 to go. Willamette tacked on the final four goals of the game -- one each by Klenk, Kendyl Jennings (So., MID, Keizer, OR/McNary HS), Bachiochi, and Garcia.

The Bearcats outshot the Pirates 28-16 overall and 24-10 in shots on goal. Willamette also attained a 16-8 edge in draw controls and a 23-17 margin in ground balls. The Bearcats finished a solid 12 for 18 on clears, while Whitworth was 7 for 13.

Goalkeeper Shelby Sawyer (Jr., GK, Marysville, WA/Bio Med Academy) provided Willamette with seven saves while allowing just three goals. Hanna Lew and Sage Fosnock each played 30 minutes in goal for the Pirates. Lew allowed eight goals and registered six saves, while Fosnock allowed nine goals and made one save.

Kawamura topped all players with six draw controls for Willamette, while Shea Richardson-Pepper (Fy., D/M, San Diego, CA/Scripps Ranch HS) added five and Wilson earned four. Wilson also achieved six ground balls and forced seven turnovers.

Madison Perry led the Pirates with four draw controls. Emma Cathers of Whitworth forced three turnovers, while Chase and Kenzie Hemman each recorded four ground balls.

The Bearcats will take on Whitman College at Sparks Field on Sunday, March 6. Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m. (PST).