By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
NEWBERG, Ore. -- Willamette University junior forward Lacey Jones (Portland, OR/David Douglas HS) scored on a header 7:02 into overtime to break a scoreless tie and send the Bearcats to a 1-0 victory over George Fox University in a Northwest Conference women's soccer game on Sunday, Sept. 22 at the Austin Sports Complex. Jones was assisted on the play by Shanna Keil (Sr., F, Danville, CA/San Ramon Valley HS). The Bearcats evened their overall record at 3-3 and improved to 2-0 in the NWC. George Fox ended the day at 2-2-1 on the season, 0-2 in the NWC.
The game-winning play began after Willamette intercepted a goal kick about 36 yards from the end line. The Bearcats tried to thread a pass into the top of the box, but a GFU player broke up the pass. As the Bruins attempted to gain possession, the Bearcats applied pressure and regained control. A pass went out to Keil just outside the left edge of the penalty area. Keil drove toward the end line, and then crossed a perfect pass toward the six-yard box, where Jones used a flick-header to send the ball toward the far post and into the net.
Willamette ended the game with an 11-8 shooting advantage and a 3-1 margin in shots on goal. In addition to Jones, WU players Emma Blackburn (So., F, Los Altos, CA/Saint Francis HS) and Hannah Deighton (Sr., D, Long Beach, CA/Long Beach Polytechnic HS) each placed one shot on target. Chloe Shumaker took the only shot on goal for the Bruins.
GFU goalie Brook Jones, who entered the game at halftime, was credited with two saves, including a stop on Blackburn's shot at 92:07. Brook Jones also registered a save on a header shot by Deighton at 63:16 following a corner kick.
In the final three minutes of regulation, the Bruins took three shots. A header by Maggee Hodgdon was blocked at 87:27 after a corner kick. Ten seconds later, a shot by Madison Huesers went high. At 89:26 a shot by Alisa Pairmore of GFU hit the post.
WU goalkeeper Kristen Barclay (Sr., Kenmore, WA/Cedar Park Christian School) played the first half and later re-entered at 72:23. She completed the game. finishing with 69:39 played. She shared the shutout, but did not have to make a save. Grasiela Quevedo-Ramos (Jr., GK, Salem, OR/West Salem HS) of WU made one save while playing in goal for the first 27:23 of the second half.
The Bearcats attained a 9-2 lead in corner kicks, with four in each half and one in overtime. WU was called for 15 fouls during the game. GFU committed 14 fouls.
Willamette is scheduled to host Pacific University at Sparks Field on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 12 p.m. (PDT). The Bearcats will play the University of Puget Sound at Sparks Field on Sunday, Sept. 29 at 12 p.m. The two NWC games will begin a four-game homestand for the Bearcats.
