By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Willamette University and Lewis & Clark College were tied 1-1 afer the Pioneers scored at 32:19 in a Northwest Conference women's soccer game on Wednesday, Oct. 25. The Bearcats regained the lead  just over a minute later on a goal by Emmy Manset (Sr., F, Ventura, CA/Foothill Technology HS). Willamette outshot L&C 11-0 in the second half, and the Bearcats added an insurance goal at 68:56, to earn a 3-1 win over the Pioneers at Griswold Stadium.

The Bearcats improved to 11-4-2 on the season, 8-4-1 in the NWC. Willamette has gone 6-2-1 in its last nine games, all against NWC opponents. The Bearcats are fourth in the NWC standings with 25 points, and are just one point behind University of Puget Sound (8-2-2, 26 points), five points behind Pacific Lutheran University (10-2-0, 30 points) and six points behind Whitworth University (10-1-1, 31 points). Lewis & Clark dropped to 3-12-2, including 2-10-1 in the NWC.

"It was an exciting game tonight," Willamette Head Coach Hillary Arthur said. "From the start of the second half, Emmy had numerous looks o goal and our overall attack seemed to overwhelm their defense. I'm really proud of the team effort."

A corner kick led to the game's first goal. Shanna Keil (So., M, Danville, CA/San Ramon Valley HS) took the corner kick from the right side for the Bearcats. The ball went into the six-yard box, where Kelsey Walker (Sr., M, Westerville, OH/Westerville North HS) headed it from outside the left post back into the middle. The ball was deflected downward by L&C goalkeeper Hannah Osmundson. Manset headed it into the back right corner of the goal at 15:31.

Walker took the next shot at 17:59, but it went wide of the goal. Two shots by Manset were saved by Osmundson at 24:48 and 26:06. Osmundson also stopped a shot from Annie Strom (So., M, Mount Vernon, WA/Mount Vernon HS) at 28:39.

Lewis & Clark scored on its second shot of the game at 32:19. The ball deflected off a defender and was tapped into the goal by Courtney Smith. It was her third goal of the season for the Pioneers.

Manset answered at the other end of the field just 1:02 later at 33:21 after receiving a pass from the right side by Jenae Arnold (So., M, Poulsbo, WA/North Kitsap HS). Manset moved near the penalty area and shot over an on-rushing Osmundson and into the net. Manset leads the NWC with 10 goals on the season.

The 2-1 lead remained at halftime. Willamette owned an 8-4 advantage in total shots at the break, including a 7-3 edge in shots on goal.

Willamette controlled much of the second half, which led to the 11-0 margin in shots over the final 45 minutes. In the first 20:13 of the half, WU took six shots. Osmundsen registered a save just over four minutes into the second half on a shot by Manset, and later cut down the angle on several shots by the Bearcats that went wide.

The Bearcats' pressure led to an insurance goal by Lacey Jones (Fr., F, Portland, OR/David Douglas HS) at 68:56. Jones received a pass about 40 yards out on the right side. She dribbled foward until she was near the penalty area and then blasted the ball into the net. 

Lewis & Clark threatened a couple of times before the end of the game, but couldn't create a shot. WU starting goalie Kristen Barclay (So., GK, Kenmore, WA/Cedar Park Christian School) made two saves in the first half and remained in the net until the 73:47 mark, when Kahiau Freitas (Fr., GK, Kaneohe, HI/Kamehameha Schools Kapalama) went in goal. Barclay received he win to improved to 8-4-2. Osmundson provided L&C with seven saves, while Emily Schmelling earned one save while playing the final 11 minutes.

Willamette ended the night with 18 shots, including 11 shots on goal, and also held an 8-1 advantage in corner kicks. Manset amassed nine total shots and six shots on goal for WU, while Lewis & Clark achieved four shots with three shots on target.

The Bearcats will host Pacific University at Sparks Field on Saturday, Oct. 28. Game time is set for 12 p.m. (PDT).