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

NEWBERG, ORE. -- Willamette University amassed 28 total shots while limiting George Fox University to seven shots, but the Bruins defeated the Bearcats, 2-1, on Saturday, Oct. 5 at the Austin Sports Complex. GFU improved to 3-5-1 overall, 1-3-1 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette ended the day at 2-7-0, including 0-5-0 in the NWC on five one-goal defeats.

For the Bruins, it was the second time in eight days that George Fox was dominated statistically, but got out of the game without losing. Last Saturday (Sept. 28), the University of Puget Sound outshot GFU 51-5, including 21-0 in shots on goal. The Bruins escaped that game with a 0-0 tie in two overtimes.

On Saturday, the Bearcats controlled the first half in a similar manner, building a 16-1 edge in shots, including 9-0 in shots on goal. Even so, Willamette was unable to score and the teams left the field at halftime tied 0-0.

In the second half, Willamette achieved a 12-6 margin in total shots and a 5-3 edge in shots on goal. George Fox, however, tallied the game's first goal at 65:29 when Tear'sa Krieger scored from the top of the penalty area following a corner kick by Michelle Young.

The Bruins added an insurance goal when Young hit the net with a shot at 81:06. The goal was unassisted on a free kick from 20 yards out.

Willamette cut the margin to 2-1 on a goal by Sarah Desautels (Jr., MF/F, Snohomish, WA/Glacier Peak HS) at 88:12. She turned on a defender at the top of the box and shot into the net past GFU goalkeeper Alyssa Montero for an unassisted goal. The Bearcats were not able to create a tying goal in the final 1:48 of the game.

Montero, who registered 21 saves a week ago against Puget Sound, added another 13 saves for GFU on Saturday. She registered nine of the saves in the first half. Willamette goalie Liberty Siegle (So., Springfield, OR/Springfield HS) was credited with one save.

Desautels led all players with 11 total shots and four shots on goal. Jill Phillips (So., MF, Fairbanks, AK/West Valley HS) and Emma Sanders (Fr., MF, Kennewick, WA/Southridge HS) each took three shots for Willamette. Krieger and Junoet Perkins tallied two shots apiece for George Fox.

In addition to earning a sizable advantage in shots, the Bearcats also attained a 5-4 edge in corner kicks.

Willamette play on the road again on Sunday, Oct. 6 at Linfield College. Game time in McMinnville, Ore., is set for 12 p.m. (PDT).