By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- Kristen Barclay (Sr., GK, Kenmore, WA/Cedar Park Christian School) earned five saves on the way to recording her 32nd career shutout (19th solo shutout), as Willamette University defeated Whitman College, 3-0, in a Northwest Conference women's soccer game on Sunday, Nov. 10 at Sparks Field. Aoi Sawanobori (So., M, Kofu, Japan/TIUA) scored the first goal and Jackie Gilroy (Fy., F/M, Mercer Island, WA/Mercer Island HS) added the last two goals for the Bearcats.
It was the final game of the season for both teams. Willamette finished at 11-7-2 overall and 10-4-2 in the NWC (32 points, 3rd place). Whitman completed the year at 4-15 overall, 4-12 in the NWC (12 points, 7th place).
Barclay concluded the season with a 0.90 goals against average and a 9-7-2 record. Her career statistics include a 38-18-11 record, a 0.85 goals against average and 268 saves. She played 6,010 minutes.
Sawanobori opened the scoring at 23:58 on a 6-yard header in the middle of box following a corner kick by Shanna Keil (Sr., F, Danville, CA/San Ramon Valley HS). Sawanobori and Keil were two of nine Willamette players honored prior the Senior Day game. Keil and seven other seniors will be graduating at the end of the 2019-20 academic year. Sawanobori was honored for her contributions as an exchange student from Tokyo International University.
"Congratulations to our team on a great season. Special congratulations to our seniors, who finish their college careers with two wins on the weekend. Today's game was high energy, with great defending and exciting scoring opportunities. Our eight seniors and Aoi will truly be missed."
— Willamette Head Coach Hillary Arthur
Gilroy's first goal was scored at 32:47 and followed a nifty through-pass from the right side by Fionn Fortune (Sr., M/F, Alexandria, VA/St. Stephen's & St. Agnes/Hamilton Coll.). The pass weaved through three defenders, allowing Gilroy to run onto the ball about 12 yards out and to the left of the penalty spot. Gilroy shot past on-rushing goalie Bryanna Schreiber for a 2-0 lead.
At halftime, WU held a 7-4 advantage in total shots and a 5-1 edge in shots on goal. Mehrija Selava had the Blues' only shot on goal less than 12 minutes into the game, but her low shot from 18 yards was saved by Barclay.
With a 2-0 deficit, Whitman pressed into the attack more in the second half, but the Bearcats maintained the shutout. Pagan Hetherington took a shot at 49:07 that Barclay saved, and Sophie Brussell recorded shot that hit the left upright near the crossbar at 51:58.
Clara Mattison (Fy., M, Burlington, WA/Burlington Edison HS) of Willamette shot wide at 53:47 and Keil had a shot blocked at 58:43.
Gilroy scored her second goal at 62:08 to give WU a 3-0 lead just over three minutes later. Annie Strom (Sr., D, Mount Vernon, WA/Mount Vernon HS) moved past a defender on the right side and provided a cross that Gilroy hit with a full-volley from just over 6 yards out near the left post. She sent the ball into the lower right corner of the goal.
Whitman created several strong challenges the rest of the way, but Barclay registered three saves and the Bearcats blocked three shots.
The Blues outshot WU 10-6 in the second half to complete the game with a 14-13 lead in total shots. Hetherington led all players with five shots for Whitman. Willamette finished with a 7-5 margin in shots on goal. Whitman achieved four saves, three by Schreiber, who started the game, and one by Ely Wolfe, who played in the second half.
With an assist on Sunday, Keil ended the season with seven goals, three assists and 17 points. During her career, she scored 23 goals and attained 15 assists for 61 total points.
Bearcats honored as part of Senior Day were Barclay, Keil, Sawanobori, Fortune, Strom, Jenae Arnold (Sr., M, Poulsbo, WA/North Kitsap HS), Hannah Deighton (Sr., D, Long Beach, CA/Long Beach Polytechnic HS), Gena Main (Sr., F, San Francisco, CA/Gateway HS/Bryn Mawr College), Rachael Moulton (Sr., D, Seattle, WA/Shorecrest HS).
