By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- Gena Main (Jr., F, San Francisco, CA/Gateway HS/Bryn Mawr College) of Willamette University scored at 76:24 and hit the net again at 83:30 to break a 1-1 tie and help the Bearcats down Lewis & Clark College, 4-1, on Saturday, Oct. 13 at Sparks Field. The Bearcats, who trailed 1-0 after 11 minutes and tied the score later in the opening half, pulled away with a total of three goals in the last 14 minutes. The final goal was scored at 85:20, giving WU three goals in a span of 8:56.
The Bearcats upped their record to 11-0-3 on the season, including 7-0-3 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette is ranked fourth in the West Region of NCAA Division III by the United Soccer Coaches. Lewis & Clark slipped to 3-8-2 overall, 1-7-1 in the NWC.
Kennie Beighle scored on a follow shot just 10:15 into the game to put Lewis & Clark in front. The play began with a shot by Anna Saucedo that hit the post. The ball then went directly to Beighle, who kicked it into the net. Saucedo was credited with an assist.
Willamette tied the game at 1-1 at the 33:35 mark on a shot by Lacey Jones (So., F, Portland, OR/David Douglas HS). Jones scored from four yards in the middle of the goalie box into the upper middle part of the goal. Isabel Duxbury (So., D, Seattle, WA/University Prep) provided an assist on the play. Megan Sawyer of L&C replaced Abby Prager in goal for the Bruins after Jones scored the tying goal.
The score remained tied at halftime with the Bearcats owning a 6-3 edge in total shots and a 5-2 margin in shots on goal. Hannah Deighton (Jr., D, Long Beach, CA/Long Beach Polytechnic HS) of Willamette led all players with three total shots and two shots on goal at the break.
WU outshot L&C 12-1 in the second half. Seven of the shots by the Bearcats were on target over the final 45 minutes. The first eight shots of the half were taken by Willamette, with four of the shots forcing saves by Sawyer. Anjali Kothari earned the only shot of the half for the Pioneeers at 75:14, but Willamette goalie Kristen Barclay (Jr., GK, Kenmore, WA/Cedar Park Christian School) registered a save.
Just over a minute later, Main registered the first of her two goals to give Willamette a 2-1 lead. Main took a touch past Sawyer and then sent the ball into the middle of the net. Shanna Keil (Jr., F, Danville, CA/San Ramon Valley HS) achieved an assist on the goal.
Keil also assisted Main on her second goal about seven minutes later. Keil began the play with a corner kick. The cross was met by Main, who headed the ball across the goal line.
Deighton completed the scoring with a goal just 1:50 later with only 4:40 left in the game. She was assisted on the play by two quick passes from Jenae Arnold (Jr., M, Poulsbo, WA/North Kitsap HS) and Rachael Moulton (Jr., D, Seattle, WA/Shorecrest HS). Deighton scored on a header.
Willamette earned an 18-4 advantage in total shots, including a 12-3 margin in shots on goal. Deighton finished with five shots and four shots on goal. Jones took four shots and placed three on target. The Bearcats attained a 5-1 edge in corner kicks.
Sawyer recorded six saves and Prager made two saves for the Pioneers. Barclay contributed two saves for Willamette.
The Bearcats will play again on Saturday, Oct. 20, when they are scheduled to take on University of Puget sound in Tacoma, Washington. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. (PDT).
Big Moment of the Game for Willamette
Gena Main gave Willamette a 2-1 lead at 76:24 with her
fifth goal of the season. She added her sixth goal of the
year at 83:30 to give the Bearcats control of the game.
All six of Main's goals have been in wins over Northwest
Conference opponents.
