TACOMA, WASH. -- The University of Puget Sound, ranked #7 in the D3Kicks.com NCAA Division III Poll, built a 3-1 lead in the first half and held off Willamette University for a 3-2 win in a Northwest Conference game on Sunday, Sept. 16. Puget Sound upped its record to 6-0 overall, including 2-0 in the NWC. Willamette fell to 1-3 overall, 0-2 in the NWC.
Puget Sound claimed a 1-0 lead just 12:46 into the contest on an unassisted goal by Adrienne Folsom. The Bearcats tied the game about eight minutes later at 20:50, when Lauren Miller (Jr., F, Portland, OR/Northwest State, La.) scored on a shot from the left corner of the box into the upper right corner of the goal.
UPS regained the lead at 25:25 on a header from Janece Levien into the net. Fiona Gornick recorded an assist on the play. Alyx Tilley provided the Loggers with another goal at 33:10, when she redirected a shot following a corner kick. Assisting on the play were Kandace Logan and Lauren Gehring. USP remained in front, 3-1, at the half.
Emily Gross (Jr., MF, Medford, OR/North Medford HS) cut the lead to 3-2 with her second goal of the season for Willamette at 77:36. She scored on a lengthy shot from 45 yards out. The Bearcatrs were unable to get a shot in the closing minutes, as UPS secured the win.
Lo Holahan (Jr., GK, Anacortes, WA/Anacortes HS) recorded five saves for Willamette in the first half, but gave up all three UPS goals. Kelli Gano (Fr., GK, Portland, OR/Cleveland HS) played the final 45 minutes for WU and did not allow a goal, while making four saves.
UPS outshot the Bearcats, 26-8 overall and held a 12-6 advantage in shots on goal. Levien took a total of eigth shots durnig the game and placed for of them on targe.
Kallie Wolfer, the goalkeeper for UPS, registered the win. She earned four saves and played all ninety minutes. UPS gained six corner kicks and did not allow Willamette a corner kick. The Bearcats were called for 10 fouls,while the Loggers were whistled for four fouls.
WU returns to action on Saturday, Sept. 22, when the Bearcats will host Whitworth University. Kickoff at Sparks Field in scheduled for 12 p.m. (PDT).
University of Puget Sound 3, Willamette University 2 - Box Score
Emily Gross scored to pull WU within one goal of 7th-ranked Puget Sound, but the Loggers won, 3-2.
