By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

PORTLAND, ORE. -- Willamette University junior forward Lauren Miller (Portland, OR/Grant HS/Northwestern State, La.) scored three goals for a hat trick, leading the Bearcats to a 3-0 Northwest Conference victory over Lewis & Clark College at Griswold Stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 23. Willamette improved to 5-8-2 overall, 4-7-2 in the NWC. Lewis & Clark fell to 2-11-2 overall, 2-10-1 in the NWC.

The hat trick by Miller was Willamette's first three-goal performance since Brenna Hindman tallied three goals in a 5-1 win at Whitworth University on Oct. 23, 2004. Hindman's performance was one of two hat tricks for the Bearcats that season, with Nicole Dahl also scoring three goals in WU's 4-2 win at Lewis & Clark on Oct. 1, 2004.

Miller scored all five of the Bearcats' goals in a two-game sweep of the Pioneers this season. She produced two goals in a 2-1 victory over L&C at Sparks Field on Sept. 29. For the season, Miller has scored 9 goals to go with 2 assists. She is Willamette's leading scorer with 20 total points.

Kelli Gano (Fr., GK, Portland, OR/Cleveland HS) of Willamette earned five saves, while recording her fourth shutout of the season. She now has a 1.03 goals against average. L&C goalkeeper Nora Germano made three saves and allowed all three goals.

Miller started her scoring early in Tuesday's match, netting the first goal just 2:12 into the contest. She made a move on Germano, caught the goalie off balance, and shot into the net. She added a second goal at 17:29 on a 25-yard shot that went off of Germano on its way to the goal.

The final goal of the hat trick was recorded at 83:25. Miller, who took five of Willamette's seven shots on goal, scored into an empty net.

Willamette took 12 total shots, with Miller earning six. Lewis & Clark had 13 shots, including five shots on goal. Lisa Housman of L&C led the way with seven total shots. Housman put two shots on goal, including one as the game entered the final minute, forcing Gano to make a save. WU claimed a 7-3 edge in corner kicks.

The Bearcats will return to action on Friday, Oct. 26, with a non-conference home game against Chapman University. Game time at Sparks Field is set for 7 p.m. (PDT). WU will also play at home on Sunday, Oct. 28, when the 'Cats host NWC rival Linfield College at 5 p.m. (PDT).