By Timothy Walsh, Athletics Communications Writer

SALEM, ORE. -- Whitman College scored the game's only goal in the second half, as the Missionaries defeated Willamette University, 1-0, in a Northwest Conference game on Sunday, Oct. 28 at Sparks Field. The Missionaries improved to 5-11-3 overall, 4-8-3 in the Northwest Conference, while Willamette dropped to 5-12-1 overall, 3-10-1 in the NWC.

MacKenzie Hughes broke a 0-0 deadlock by hitting the net with a shot at 58:54 on an assist from Clara Merlino. The play began with Merlino tacking a shot from eight yards out that Willamette goalkeeper Nicole Price (Jr., Auburn, WA/Thomas Jefferson HS) saved while going to the ground. The ball bounced to Hughes near the right post, where she tapped it into the goal.

It is the second time that Whitman has defeated Willamette by a single goal this season. The Missionaries also achieved a 1-0 victory over the Bearcats on Sept. 15 in Walla Walla, Wash.

During the rematch on Saturday, much of the play was in the midfield. Both teams found little success in the offensive third, as the two defenses limited the number of dangerous shots.

In the first half, Whitman took five shots and Willamette had two shots. All of Whitman's shots in the first half were earned in the final five minutes. Four of the shots were by Jaclyn Rudd, including two shots in four seconds and a third shot 34 seconds later. The two quick shots by Rudd were blocked by the WU defense, while the remaining two shots went wide left.

Willamette's first shot was at 26:45 by Ashland Bernard (So., F, Kirkland, WA/Juanita HS), as she sent the ball wide of the goal. The second attempt for the Bearcats was a 35:29 on a header by Andi Rowan (Sr., MF, Boise, ID/Timberline HS) that went over the crossbar from six yards out following a corner kick by Sarah Desautels (So., F, Snohomish, WA/Glacier Peak HS).

As in the first half, corner kicks helped Willamette earn two shots in the second half while the score was still 0-0. Kelli Standish (So., F, Redmond, WA/Eastside Catholic HS) set up both scoring chances by sending the ball near the six-yard box, where Paige Lancourt (Jr., FM, Eagle, ID/Eagle HS) headed it toward the net, forcing Whitman goalkeeper Emily Davis to make saves at 54:40 and 56:12.

Whitman attained a 4-2 edge in shots over the final 45 minutes to finish the game with a 9-4 advantage over the Bearcats. Each team achieved two shots on goal. Davis finished with two saves, while Price registered one save.

Willamette gained a 9-1 edge in corner kicks, with Standish taking seven of the nine restarts.

The Bearcats will play at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Wash., on Friday, Nov. 2. Game time is scheduled for 12 p.m. (PDT).