By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

NEWBERG, Ore. -- Emmy Manset (Sr., F, Ventura, CA/Foothill Technology HS) scored a Northwest Conference leading 13th goal of the season, and Shanna Keil (So., M, Danville, CA/San Ramon Valley HS) and Hannah Deighton (So., M, Long Beach, CA/Long Beach Polytechnic HS) also put the ball in the net, to help Willamette University shut out George Fox University, 3-0, on Sunday, Nov. 5. Willamette concluded the season with a 13-4-3 overall record, including 10-4-2 (4th place, 32 points) in the Northwest Conference. George Fox finished at 8-9-2 overall, 6-8-2 (6th place, 20 points) in the NWC.

Willamette has earned its most wins in a season since the Bearcats went 16-3-2 in 2016. The Bearcats have scored 34 goals this season and have allowed only 15 goals, while earning nine shutouts. WU registered an impressive 7-2-1 record on the road.

"The game today was a great show of total team effort," Willamette Head Coach Hillary Arthur commented. "Everyone contributed to our team success and the win today. I'm so impressed with our team. Each player has been committed to what we set out to do from day one back in August. Each player embraced the mindset of positive energy, optimistic spirit and having the grit to overcome challenges and obstacles. Ending the season with a record of 13-4-3 is outstanding. I'm so proud of what we have accomplished. And what's even better is that each and every teammate contributed to our success this season."

All of the scoring was in the first half on Sunday. Manset opened the scoring just 7:22 in to the game. She tackled the ball away from GFU goalie Kelsey Kammerzell near the top of the six-yard box and sent the ball into the net. It was Manset's 23rd career goal.

Both team had several changes before the Bearcats tallied their second goal.

After Ivana Lizama shot wide for the Bruins at 12:34, Keil  took a shot for Willamette that was saved by Kammerzell at 14:33. Yume Matsuyama (So., Saitama, Japan/Bunkyo Gakuin Univ. Girls HS) of WU took three of the next four shots, starting with a header that was saved at 15:05. Jayli Miyamoto of GFU forced Willamette goalie Kristen Barclay (So., GK, Kenmore, WA/Cedar Park Christian School) to make a save at 16:14. Mastuyama earned shots at 20:07 and 21:51, but Kammerzeel recorded a save each time. Manset added a shot at 23:39, giving the Bearcats a 6-2 lead in total shots.

The pressure from the Bearcats paid off when Keil scored at 25:39 for a 2-0 lead. The play began with a cross from Jenae Arnold (So., M, Poulsbo, WA/North Kitsap HS). Keil received the ball just outside the 18-yard box and blasted a shot into the goal, as she scored for the sixth time this season.

Willamette took charge of the game with another goal shortly before halftime at 43:53. Defender Hannah Deighton (So., M, Long Beach, CA/Long Beach Polytechnic HS) scored the gaol on direct free kick from about 22 yards out near the top left corner of the penalty area.

The Bearcats held a convincing 10-3 advantage in shots at halftime, including 7-2 in shots on goal.

WU maintained its 3-0 led throughout the final 45 minutes. The Bearcats added five shots in the second half to finish with a 15-10 margin in total attempts and an 8-4 edge shots on goal.

Kammerzell recorded four saves for GFU in the first half, while Annalisa Klein made one save for the Bruins in the second half. Barclay earned two saves prior to giving way to giving way to Kahiau Freitas (Fr., GK, Kaneohe, HI/Kamehameha Schools Kapalama) at the start of the second half. Freitas also provided WU with two saves. Grasiela Quevedo-Ramos (Fr., GK, Salem, OR/West Salem HS) played the final 59 seconds to complete the shared shutout.

Barclay registered an 11-4-3 record, 68 saves and a 0.79 goals against average during the season. In two years with the Bearcats, she has a 17-8-5 record to go with a 0.81 career GAA, seven solo shutouts and seven shared shutouts.