By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director

SALEM, Ore. -- Freshman midfielder Jenae Arnold (Fr., M, Poulsbo, WA/North Kitsap HS) started off her Willamette University soccer career with a strong performance on Saturday, Aug. 27. She scored the game's first goal late in the first half and added an assist in the second half to lead the Bearcats to a 2-0 victory over Evergreen State College in an exhibition game at Sparks Field.

Kelsey Walker (Jr., M/GK, Westerville, OH/Westerville North HS) scored Willamette's second goal. A trio of goalkeepers -- Emily Sewall (Sr., GK, Petaluma, CA/Casa Grande HS), Kristen Barclay (Fr., GK, Kenmore, WA/Cedar Park Christian School) and Hannah Seyffert (So., GK, Altadena, CA/International Poly-Technic HS) combined for the shutout.

Although the game was an exhibition for Willamette, it counted as the regular season opener for Evergreen State (0-1).

Willamette took the first two shots of the game, but it was Evergreen State that had the first quality chance to score. A shot by Maddie Lockwood from near the top of the penalty area hit the middle of the crossbar at 33:10. The rebound fell to Ana Vigil, but her shot was saved by Sewall near the attacking left post.

Willamette moved in front 1-0 on a shot by Arnold from about 19 yards on the right side. The ball went in to the lower left corner of the goal. Marley Duncan (Jr., F, Pukalani, HI/Kamehameha School) recorded an assist on the play.

Sewall played the entire first half and recorded two saves. Barclay started the second half in goal for Willamette and continued the shutout with 36:10 in the nets. Seyffert played the final 8:50.

Walker increased the Bearcats' advantage to 2-0 on a shot from the middle top of the penalty area into the lower right corner. The goal was set up by a short crossing pass from the left side by Arnold.

The Bearcats finished with a 9-6 margin in total shots, including a 5-3 edge in shots on goal. Walker led all players with a total of three shots. Walker and Ellie Engel of Evergreen State each placed two shots on target.

Kayla Basket payed all 90 minutes in goal for ESC and finished with two saves for the Geoducks. An Evergreen State defender also kept the ball out of the net once with a goal-line block on a shot by Walker at 60:38.

Willamette will open the regular season on Thursday, Sept. 1 with a road game at Northwest Christian University in Eugene, Oregon. Game time is set for 5 p.m. (PDT).