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

SALEM, ORE. -- Lewis & Clark College scored two goals in the second half to build a 3-1 lead, and then the Pioneers held off a rally by Willamette University, to defeat the Bearcats, 3-2, on Wednesday, Sept. 18 at Sparks Field. The game was the Northwest Conference opener for both teams.

L&C improved its record to 4-1 on the season, 1-0 in the NWC. Willamette moved to 2-3 overall, 0-1 in the NWC. Willamette midfielder Sarah Desautels (Jr., Snohomish, WA/Glacier Peak HS) earned a goal and an assist.

The Pioneers took a 1-0 lead 5:07 into the game when Natalie Levy scored on a lengthy shot to the top of the net. Levy used a spin move to get away from pressure about 30 yards out. She moved forward and shot from 22 yards past goalkeeper Nicole Price (Sr., Auburn, WA/Thomas Jefferson HS).

Desautels scored a goal on a 30-yard blast from the left side to the upper right corner of the net at 15:56 to tie the game 1-1. The teams remained tied at halftime.

Lewis & Clark took a 2-1 lead at 56:49 on a 30-yard shot by Emily Thompson. The strike was taken from the center of the field and went into the goal high and a bit to the right.

Anna Thorndike added a goal from 15 yards out at 62:30, as the Pioneers claimed a 3-1 advantage. Marin Ricketson passed the ball to Thorndike, who moved around an on-rushing Price and shot into the lower right corner of the net.

Rachel Fleener (So., F, Olympia, WA/Olympia HS) cut the Pioneers' lead to 3-2 with a goal at 82:33. Desautels saw an opening in the middle of the L&C defense and passed into the space from the left side. Fleener ran onto the play and beat goalkeeper Geena Fong and a defender to the ball. She shot from 10 yards into the center of the goal.

Fleener took another shot with 2:54 left in the game. She struck the ball from 25 yards out, but it went toward Fong, who recorded a save.

Fong played all 90 minutes and achieved four saves for Lewis & Clark. Price played 68:40 for WU and also made four saves, including a diving stop on a shot by Thorndike with 9:23 left in the first half.

Liberty Siegle (So., GK, Springfield, OR/Springfield HS) was in goal for the final 21:20 of the second half for the Bearcats.

L&C attained an 11-8 edge in shots, including a 7-6 margin in shots on goal. Willamette finished with a 3-2 advantage in corner kicks.

The Bearcats will play two more home games this weekend. They will host Whitman College on Saturday, Sept. 21 at 12:30 p.m. (PDT) and will take on Whitworth University on Sunday, Sept. 22, also at 12:30 p.m. Both games are part of Willamette's Alumni Weekend.