By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director
SALEM, Ore. -- Kelsey Walker (Jr., M, Westerville, OH/Westerville North HS) of Willamette University tied the score on a goal with 5:28 left in regulation, and then provided the winning goal with 2:57 left in the first overtime, as the Bearcats rallied past Oregon Institute of Technology, 2-1, in a women's soccer game at Sparks Field on Sunday, Sept. 11.
Willamette upped its record to 3-1 on the season, including two overtime wins. Walker has scored both overtime goals for the Bearcats. Oregon Tech fell to 2-4.
Taylee Miyamura scored the game's opening goal for Oregon Tech just 5:06 into the first half. She earned the goal on a header from eight yards out into the upper left corner of the net. Jodie Reoch was credited with an assist on the play.
The Owls took the first seven shots of the game, with Miyamura's goal occurring on the fourth shot. Willamette outshot Oregon Tech 7-1 during the remainder of the half, leaving the Owls with an 8-7 advantage at the break.
Oregon Tech goalkeeper Jenna Stiehr made two saves in the first half and finished with four saves for the game. WU starting goalie Emily Sewall (Sr., GK, Petaluma, CA/Casa Grande HS) earned one save in the first 45 minutes.
Kristen Barclay (Fr., GK, Kenmore, WA/Cedar Park Christian School) played in goal for Willamette in the second half. She contributed four saves and made several solid defensive plays to keep the Bearcts within a single goal until Walker scored the equalizer.
The tying play started with an offensive restart following a foul against Oregon Tech. After receiving a cross on the restart, Walker took a shot that was saved by Stiehr. Walker found the rebound near the right post and shot from three yards into the goal at 84:32.
Neither team scored during the rest of the second half. Emmy Manset (Jr., F, Ventura, CA/Foothill Technology HS) took a shot for Willamette at 88:47 that went wide left. Oregon Tech earned a corner kick in the final few seconds, but the Owls did not create a shot.
The teams entered the first of up to two 10-minute overtime periods, with the first team to score winning the game.
Reoch of Oregon Tech recorded the first shot of overtime. Her attempt from a few yards outside the penalty area went high at 95:34.
Willamette's winning play began with a shot by Liz Stewart (So., D/F, Sisters, OR/Sisters HS/Texas Christian University) that hit the crossbar. After the ball bounced off the bar, it dropped near the right post, where Walker used a diving header from one yard out to end the game at 97:08 with her third goal of the season.
The Bearcats gained a 15-14 advantage in total shots, as each team placed six shots on goal. The Owls held a 5-2 margin in corner kicks.
Willamette will open Northwest Conference play on Saturday, Sept. 17 at Linfield College. Game time in McMinnville, Oregon, is set for 12 p.m. (PDT).
