Sewall Earns Shutout with Nine Saves
SALEM, ORE. -- Led by the strong play of its defense, the Willamette University women's soccer team tied 20th-ranked Linfield College, 0-0 in two overtimes, on Saturday, Oct. 19 at Sparks Field.
Willamette recorded its second tie and third shutout in the last three games, while moving to 3-9-2 overall, 1-7-2 in the Northwest Conference. Linfield listed at #20 in the latest NCAA Division III Poll released by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), ended the game at 12-1-1 overall, 8-1-1 in the NWC.
The Bearcats have put together a streak of 372:55 without allowing a goal. The shutout streak includes the final 62:55 against Pacific University on Oct. 12, plus three complete games, with two of the games ending in ties after 110 minutes.
On Saturday, each team had one goal disallowed. Linfield's goal was waved off by an offside call 8:40 into the game. Willamette's goal was not allowed because of a handball on the play with 3:40 left in regulation.
WU goalkeeper Emily Sewall (Fr., Petaluma, CA/Casa Grande HS) provided the Bearcats with nine saves during the 110 minutes of playing time. Kallina Haase of Linfield registered five saves for the Wildcats.
Linfield achieved a 22-7 advantage in total shots and concluded the game with a 10-5 edge in shots on goal, but both teams found high-quality shots difficult to create. The Wildcats did have a few solid chances, but Sewall denied two or three with saves and the WU defense prevented several with well-timed tackles.
The Wildcats' leading scorer, Emily Fellows, took a game-high eight total shots and topped all players with four shots on goal. Emma Vukic added three shots with two shots on goal. Two of the shots by Vukic were in the second overtime, including a header that was cleared of the line by a Willamette defender with 2:57 left following a corner kick.
Willamette's shots on goal included two by Rachel Fleener (So., F, Olympia, WA/Olympia HS) and one each by Sarah Desautels (Jr., MF/F, Snohomish, WA/Glacier Peak HS), Paige Lancourt (Sr., MF, Eagle, ID/Eagle HS) and Kinsey Keene (Fr., MF, Eagle, ID/Eagle HS).
Fleener forced a save by Haase in the first overtime at 94:15. In the second overtime, Fleener took a shot from several yards outside the penalty area that lost its pace in time for Haase to add another save with 1:11 left in the game
Linfield dominated the corner kicks, as the Wildcats earned 11 and the Bearcats achieved just one. Each team was called for 15 fouls.
Prior to the game, former Willamette soccer player Elizabeth (Heaston) Thompson ('99) was honored by the Bearcats. Thompson, who competed at WU from 1995 through 1998, was inducted into the Willamette Athletic Hall of Fame later on Saturday.
The Bearcats will play their final home game of the season on Sunday, Oct. 20 when they host George Fox University. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. (PDT).
Willamette forward Rachel Fleener took two shots against Linfield and placed both shots on goal.
