By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
McMINNVILLE, Ore. -- Lily Bachiochi (Jr., ATT, Henderson, NV/Coronado HS) set a Willamette University record for scoring in a game with seven goals and five assists for 12 points, as the Bearcats defeated Linfield University, 18-11, in a Northwest Conference women's lacrosse game on Tuesday, March 19. Bachiochi's 12 points surpassed the previous school record of 10 points, set by Anabel Ohsman ('21) on March 24, 2019 with nine goals and one assist in an 18-14 win at the University of Dallas.
Willamette's win over Linfield improved the Bearcats to 4-2 overall, 3-1 in the NWC. Linfield fell to 1-4, including 0-3 in the NWC.
The Bearcats trailed 2-0 in the first quarter, but took a 4-2 lead early in the second quarter. Linfield grabbed a 6-4 advantage with 7:25 left in the half, but Willamette ended the second quarter with a 4-0 outburst for an 8-6 lead at the break. WU outscored the Wildcats 10-5 in the second half.
Bachiochi earned four goals and two assists in the first half. She tacked on three goals and three assists in the second half. Eight times in her career, she has contributed five or more assists in a game. Bachiochi set the WU record with six assists in a 19-10 win at Pacific University on March 4, 2023.
At Linfield on Tuesday, Alyssa Molisee (Fy., MID/ATT, Henderson, NV/Nevada State HS) scored four goals and registered one assist for the Bearcats. Cedric Shaw (Fy., MID, Jamul, CA/Valhalla HS) accumulated three goals, while Shea Richardson-Pepper (Jr., DEF/MID, San Diego, CA/Scripps Ranch HS) contributed two goals and one assist. Brooklynn Pearl (So., MID, Eugene, OR/Willamette HS) and Claire Kisielnicki (So., ATT, Manitou Springs, CO/Manitou Springs HS) each scored one goal.
"Tonight, we figured out what was working for us when we were able to limit our turnovers and get some big stops and draw controls," Willamette Assistant Coach Lilly Stump said. "That led to opportunities down on offense to get our hands open and get the ball in the back of the net consistently."
Linfield was led by Gabby Crist with 5 goals and two assists. Savannah Irwin added two goals and one assist for the Wildcats. Maizri Chandler provided two assists.
"Although having some setbacks, our defense did a good job of adjusting, communicating, and hustling throughout the game," Willamette Assistant Coach Yousra Manar commented. "Our players battled back, playing solid defense and showing teamwork to help us come out on top."
Crist of Linfield scored the game's first goal with 11:09 left in the opening quarter. Neither team scored over the next 10 minutes. Willamette killed off a trio of quick penalties on yellow cards at 4:45 and 4:40, plus a green card at 4:26. The Bearcats were three players down for about one minute, and spent nearly another minute two players short.
Leah Stednick put LU up 2-0 on a goal with 58 seconds left in the first quarter. Willamette controlled the draw, and Pearl scored for the Bearcats with 40 seconds on the clock.
Bachiochi's first goal tied the game at 2-2 with 14:08 to go in the second quarter. A goal by Shaw at 13:37 and a score by Bachiochi at 11:16 gave the Bearcats a 4-2 edge. The Wildcats countered with four goals over the next four minutes. The Bearcats added four goals of their own. Bachiochi scored the first two goals and earned assists on the final two goals.
Linfield scored the initial goal of the second half, but WU created a 5-1 run for a 13-8 lead after a player-up goal by Molisee at the 6:12 mark. LU pulled within 14-10, but Bachiochi hit the net at 2:09 and Molisee scored at 0:14. In the fourth quarter, Shaw and Richardson-Pepper scored, increasing the lead to 18-10. Bachiochi earned her fifth assist on Shaw's goal.
Willamette goalkeeper Olivia Austin provided 11 saves, while LU goalie Tenley Hodge made 14 saves. The Bearcats outshot the Wildcats 37-30 overall and 32-22 in shots on goal. WU gained 21 draw controls, while Linfield finished with 12. Each team latched onto 24 ground balls.
Molisee topped Willamette with seven ground balls and seven draw controls. Pearl also supplied seven draw controls, while Shaw attained five ground balls. Mackenzie Kulick of the Wildcats achieved five draw controls. Willamette caused 10 of Linfield's 22 turnovers, including three caused by Shaw and two caused by Molisee.
The Bearcats will play at Occidental College in Los Angeles, California, on Wednesday, March 27. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. PDT.
