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

SPRINGFIELD, ORE. -- Three Bearcats scored one goal apiece to lead the Willamette University women's soccer team to a 3-0 victory over Northwest Christian University in a non-conference game on Tuesday, Sept. 4. Willamette evened its record at 1-1 for the season, while Northwest Christian fell to 1-1.

Maddy Grainger (Sr., MF, Salt Lake City, UT/West HS), Ashland Bernard (So., F, Kirkland, WA/Juanita HS) and Sarah Desautels (So., F, Snohomish, WA/Glacier Peak HS) tallied the goals for Willamette. It was the first goal of the season for all three players.

Meanwhile, the Willamette defense along with goalkeepers Nicole Price (Jr., Auburn, WA/Thomas Jefferson HS) and Liberty Siegle (Fr., Springfield, OR/Springfield HS) shut down the NCU offense.

Grainger scored the game's first goal at 6:48 when she took a corner kick for the Bearcats. She crossed the ball toward the goal. The wind took control and helped the ball curve into the net.

Late in the first half, the Bearcats extended their lead to 2-0. Bernard recorded the goal on a shot that deflected off a defender at 41:10. WU outshot the Beacons, 6-1, over the first 45 minutes.

Desautels provided the final goal just over 10 minutes into the second half at 55:28. Ariel Wilson (Sr., MF, Fort Collins, CO/Poudre HS) began the play with a pass to Desautels, who sent the ball into the left side of the goal.

The Bearcats limited the Beacons to three shots during the game, including one shot on goal. Price registered Willamette's only save, while playing the first 45 minutes in goal. Siegle played in goal for WU over the final 45 minutes. NCU goalkeeper Kristin Fulbright registered four saves and played all 90 minutes.

Willamette blasted 11 total shots and placed seven shots on goal. Bernard led the way with three shots -- all on goal. Desautels also took three shots and placed two of the shot on frame. The Bearcats claimed a 5-0 advantage in corner kicks.

The next game for Willamette is on Friday, Sept. 7 against Whittier College (Calif.). Game time at Sparks Field on the Willamette campus is set for 7 p.m. (PDT).