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

FOREST GROVE, Ore. -- Senior forward Veronica Ewers (Moscow, ID/Moscow HS) scored two goals in the first 16 minutes, helping Willamette University defeat Pacific University, 2-1, in a Northwest Conference women's soccer game on Friday, Nov. 6 at Hanson Stadium. The Bearcats allowed a goal just 14 seconds after Ewers gave WU a 2-0 lead, but it was the only goal scored by the Boxers.

Willamette outshot Pacific 11-1 in the second half and finished with a 15-6 advantage in total shots. Willamette also held a 4-3 lead in shots on goal.

The Bearcats won their third game in a row and improved to 9-8-2 overall and to 9-5-1 in the NWC. Willamette is third in the NWC standings with 28 points.

Ewers put in the first goal following a corner kick less than four minutes after the kickoff. McKenzie Andringa (Sr., M/D, Yakima, WA/La Salle HS) took the corner kick and Ewers headed the ball into the net near the far post at 3:52.

The lead increased to 2-0 when Ewers scored on a 25-yard shot at 15:35. It was the third goal of the season for Ewers.

Pacific earned a corner shortly after the ensuing kickoff. Emily Thompson scored on a header at 15:49 after Brook Smith took the corner kick.

Neither team scored the rest of the game, as the Bearcats closed out the win. Even so, the Boxers took two more shots on goal in the first half. Ashley Park-Hunt forced a save by WU goalkeeper Emily Sewall (Jr., GK, Petaluma, CA/Casa Grande HS) at 33:59. Sewall also earned a save at 34:34 on a shot by Sydney Virgen.

The only shot by Pacific in the second half did not occur until 85:20 when Smith sent the ball wide right.

Willamette's 11 shots over the final 45 minutes led to two saves by Pacific goalie Kailey Hifumi. At 66:10, Hifumi saved a shot by Andringa. Later, at 81:39, Kelsey Walker (So., M/GK, Westerville, OH/Westerville North HS) took a shot that Hifumi kept out of the net.

Walker led the Bearcats with four total shot, while Ewers finished with three shots. Six different Boxers each recorded one shot for Pacific.

Sewall and Hifumi each finished with two saves.

The Bearcats will complete the season on Sunday, Nov. 8 against University of Puget Sound. Game time at Sparks Field is set for 11 a.m. (PST). Puget Sound is tied for first place in the NWC with a 10-0-4 record (34 points). The Loggers are 14-0-4 overall. UPS is tied with Pacific Lutheran University in the NWC standings. The Lutes are 11-2-1 (34 points) in the NWC.