By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
PORTLAND, Ore. -- Emma Blackburn (So., F, Los Altos, CA/Saint Francis HS) scored the game's first goal for Willamette University at 24:30, but Lewis & Clark College rallied for a 2-1 win against the Bearcats in two overtimes on Wednesday, Oct. 30 at Griswold Stadium. Anna Saucedo scored the winning goal for the Pioneers with 3:43 left in the second overtime.
Willamette fell to 9-6-2 overall and to 8-3-2 in the Northwest Conference. Even with the loss, the Bearcats are 5-1-2 in overtime games this season. L&C improved to 7-8-2 overall, 6-6-1 in the NWC.
The opening goal by Blackburn was scored just over a minute after Rachael Moulton (Sr., D, Seattle, WA/Shorecrest HS) nearly put a 35-yard free kick into the net at 23:19. Moulton sent a line-drive blast at the goal that L&C goalkeeper Abby Prager saved above her head near the top of the six-yard box. Willamette kept the pressure on L&C, with the Bearcats earning a corner kick at 23:41.
Although Willamette didn't score on the corner kick, the Bearcats continued to put on pressure. Blackburn scored on a short shot near the right post following an assist from Moulton. It was Blackburn's fifth goal of the year. WU remained in front, 1-0, at halftime.
After 45 minutes, Lewis & Clark held a slim 4-3 advantage total shots and the Pioneers had an equally close 3-2 edge in shots on goal.
Lewis & Clark tied the game at 58:43 on a goal by Shelby Vaver at the end of a counter-attack. Julia Markmann received an assist on the play, as she provided the final pass from the right side into the 18-yard box.
The Pioneers gained some momentum and took the next six shots between 67:56 and the 81:02 mark. Markmann started the offensive streak with a shot that WU goalie Kristen Barclay (Sr., Kenmore, WA/Cedar Park Christian School) saved. Barclay also stopped a shot by Vaver at 78:38. The other four shots went wide.
Willamette had the better of play int he final nine minutes of regulation, which led to two shots by Shanna Keil (Sr., F, Danville, CA/San Ramon Valley HS). The first was a lengthy blast that went wide and high. The second shot also was from range, as Keil smashed a 30-foot attempt that was headed toward the upper right corner of the goal until Prager deflected the ball over the end line. WU did not create a shot on the ensuing corner kick.
Keil earned another shot at 89:38, but Prager registered a save on the play and the teams went to overtime tied at 1-1.
In the first overtime, the teams battled in the midfield and played strong defense that limited offensive chances. The only shot during the 10-minute session was a shot by Vaver that went right at Barclay and was saved at 97:17.
Willamette created the first shot in the second overtime. Keil took the shot at 101:39, but Prager kept the ball out of the net. A shot by Becca McCullough of L&C went wide at 103:56. The play that led to the winning goal started with a counter-attack down the left sideline and led to Saucedo shooting from about 14 yards into the lower right corner of the goal.
The Pioneers ended the night with a 14-7 lead in total shots and an 8-5 margin in shots on goal. Barclay registered six saves for the Bearcats, while Prager achieved four saves for Lewis & Clark. Willamette claimed an 8-4 advantage in corner kicks, but the Bearcats also were called offside eight times, compared to four offside decisions against L&C.
WU will play at Pacific Lutheran University on Sunday, Nov. 3 at 12 p.m. (PDT). The Lutes lead the NWC with an undefeated record of 12-0 and are 14-1-1 overall.
