By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SPOKANE, Wash. -- Yume Matsuyama (So., Saitama, Japan/Bunkyo Gakuin Univ. Girls HS) scored her first goal as a Willamette University women's soccer player to give the Bearcats a 1-0 lead in the first half, but Whitworth University rallied for a 2-1 win at the Whitworth Soccer Field on Saturday, Sept. 16. It was the Northwest Conference opener for both teams. Whitworth upped its record to 2-3-0, 1-0 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette slipped to 3-1-1 overall, 0-1 in the NWC.

Matsuyama, in her first year on the team, scored an unassisted goal at 34:38 to break a scoreless tie. Whitworth answered just under three minutes later at 37:12 to create a 1-1 tie at halftime. The goal for the Pirates was earned by Michele Whan and was assisted by Courtney Harmon.

Kathryn Bischoff scored the winning goal for Whitworth just over 10 minutes into the second half at 56:05. She recorded the goal on an unassisted shot.

Willamette outshot Whitworth 4-2 over the remainder of the game. Shanna Keil (So., M, Danville, CA/San Ramon Valley HS) took a shot at 67:09 that was saved by Whitworth goalkeeper Molly Webster. A shot by Emmy Manset (Sr., F, Ventura, CA/Foothill Technology HS) for the Bearcats was blocked by a defender at 80:02. Less than half a minute later, Leah Corra missed high on a shot for the Pirates.

Alli Young (Fr., F, Corvallis, OR/Crescent Valley HS) of Willamette send a shot wide left at 86:28, and Sarah Cool missed wide left on a shot for Whitworth at 88:19. Manset took the final shot of the game for the Bearcats with five seconds left. Her shot also went to the left of the goal, as Whitworth secured the one-goal win.

"Today we came up a little short," Willamette Head Coach Hillary Arthur said. "We worked hard on the field, but could never really find out rhythm."

Kristen Barclay (So., GK, Kenmore, WA/Cedar Park Christian School) earned seven saves in goal for Willamette. Webster finished with three saves for Whitworth. Manset led all players with five total shots. Bischoff took three shots -- all on goal -- for the Pirates.

Whitworth outshot Willamette by a slim 12-10 margin, but the Pirates recorded a 9-4 edge in shots on goal. The Pirates held an 8-2 margin in corner kicks, including a 5-0 advantage in the second half. Only nine fouls were called -- five on Whitworth and four on Willamette.

The Bearcats will play at Whitman College on Sunday, Sept. 17. Kickoff in Walla Walla, Washington, is set for 12 p.m. (PDT).