By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Maddie Garcia (Jr., MID, Encinitas, CA/San Dieguito Academy) scored five goals and one assist, while teammate Lily Bachiochi (Fy., ATT, Henderson, NV/Coronado HS) earned three goals and four assists, as the Willamette University Bearcats overcame an early 2-0 deficit to down Hamline University (Minn.), 18-6, in a women's lacrosse game on Friday, March 18 at Sparks Field. Willamette improved its record to 6-1 on the season, while Hamline dropped to 1-4.

Willamette played most of the game without Tati Klenk (Jr., ATT, Truckee, CA/Tahoe Truckee HS), who entered the evening with a team-high 19 goals. Klenk suffered an apparent leg injury about 30 seconds into the game.

Hamline scored the game's first two goals as Maria Lewis hit the net with 6:11 left in the opening quarter and Maitland Luksan added a goal at the 5:32 mark. Willamette registered goals by Bachiochio and Garcia just 46 seconds apart, creating a 2-2 deadlock with 2:46 to go in the quarter. Hamline's Taryn Leonard tallied a goal with 15 seconds on the clock, as the Pipers carried a 3-2 advantage into the second quarter.

The Bearcats gradually gained control by outscoring the Pipers 4-0 in the second quarter and 5-2 in the third period. In the second quarter, Bachiochi scored at the 12:53 mark and Garcia tacked on another goal just 21 seconds later, giving WU the lead for good at 4-3. Laura Kelly (Sr., ATT, Mountain View, CA/Mountain View HS) scored for the Bearcats with the clock at 9:42 and Catie Kawamura (Jr., ATT, San Diego, CA/San Diego International Studies) put in a free-position shot with 6:49 remaining in the half for 6-3 edge at the break.

Willamette earned the first four goals of the third quarter to finish an 8-0 run for a 10-3 lead. Kelly, Kawamura, Bachiochi, and Garcia provided the goals, all in the first 4:22 of the second half. The Pipers stopped the surge by scoring goals with 7:04 and 4:38 left in the quarter. The second goal cut WU's margin to 10-5, but Analise Wilson (So., MID, Temecula, CA/Chaparral HS)  scored for the Bearcats 31 seconds later.

Garcia scored goals two goals with 13:48 and 12:55 to go in the fourth quarter, as Willamette's lead reached eight goals at 13-5. Hamline countered with one goal by Lewis and two goals by Leonard to pull within 13-8 with 8:04 left.

An unassisted goal by Shea Richardson-Pepper (Fy., D/M, San Diego, CA/Scripps Ranch HS) of Willamette with 6:01 to play virtually sealed the win. The Bearcats added two more goals in the final four minutes.

In addition to Garcia and Bachiochi, Kawamura also recorded a hat trick during the game as she finished with three goals. Kelly and Wilson each scored twice. For Hamline, Leonard provided three goals, while Luksan and Lewis both scored two goals. Luksan also recorded two assists.

Willamette goalkeeper Shelby Sawyer (Jr., GK, Marysville, WA/Bio Med Academy) achieved six saves and improved to 6-1 on the season. Two Hamline goalies saw action, with Corinne Cochran playing the first 34:22 and Justine Case playing 25:38. Cochran was credited with four saves, while Case earned three saves.

The Bearcats held a 28-21 edge in total shots, including 23-14 in shots on goal. WU attained a 16-12 lead in draw controls and gained a 23-19 margin in ground balls.

Wilson led the Bearcats with six ground ball and four caused turnovers, while Kawamura hauled in 10 draw controls. Lewis supplied Hamline with seven draw controls and led the Pipers with three caused turnovers.

Up next for Willamette is a game at Occidental College on Wednesday, March 23. Game time in Los Angeles, California, is scheduled for 5 p.m. (PDT). The Spring Break trip also will include a game at Chapman University on Friday, March 25 at 11 a.m. in Orange, California.