By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- As the 2020-21 women's soccer season gets underway this weekend, the Willamette University Bearcats will be led by a group of five attacking players who combined for 17 of the team's 27 goals in 2019. They give the Bearcats plenty of experience as they prepare to open the schedule with an exhibition game against crosstown rival Corban University on Saturday, Feb. 20 at Sparks Field starting at 2 p.m. (PST). Fans can watch the game with a live webcast.

"We are excited to begin competition this Saturday," Willamette Head Coach Hillary Arthur said. "Last fall, we saw great team development and individual growth throughout our training. The team returned to campus focused, fit and purposeful with our preparation for matches this spring. I'm looking forward to seeing our new players take the field and how they will adjust to the college game and how they will impact our style of play.

"This season is a great opportunity to continue to develop as a team where we are focused on ourselves and what we can do now to best prepare for fall 2021," Arthur added. "We have a team of contributors, and I'm looking forward to seeing those contributions on game day.

The top returning scorer for Willamette is Jackie Gilroy (So., F, Mercer Island, WA/Mercer Island HS). In 2019, Gilroy provided the Bearcats with six goals and one assist for 13 points. She took 19 total shots with 10 shots on goal. She contributed two game-winning goals.

Emma Blackburn (Jr., F, Los Altos, CA/St. Francis HS) added five goals and one assist for 11 points. She took a team-high 40 shots with 16 shots on goal and two game-winning goals.

Julia Fecteau (Jr., F/D, Bend, OR/Bend HS) tallied two goals and one assist to go along with one game-winning goal. She scored her two goals on just five total shots. Gilroy, Blackburn, and Fecteau each played in all 20 games.

Also scoring two goals in 2019 were Lacey Jones (Sr., F, Portland, OR/David Douglas HS) and Sydney Wilson (Jr., M, Olympia, WA/Capital HS). Despite injuries, Jones played in 11 games while Wilson saw action in 15 games. Jones and Wilson each scored one game-winner.

In goal, Grasiela Quevedo-Ramos (Sr., Salem, OR/West Salem HS) returns after playing six games in 2019. She guarded the nets for 199 minutes and earned a 2-0-0 record and a 0.45 goals against average. She registered nine saves. Also returning at goalkeeper is Jordan Roue (Jr., San Jose, CA/Prospect HS).

Defenders who are back to lead the Bearcats are Fecteau, Isabel Duxbury (Sr., Seattle, WA/University Prep), Paige Murray (Jr., Olympia, WA/Capital HS), and Joleigh Miller (So., Salem, OR/South Salem HS). Fecteau has played in 38 games in her career. Duxbury has seen action in 59 games and started 43 games for the Bearcats. In 2019, Duxbury competed in all 20 games (16 starts). Murray has played in 35 games in her career. An injury limited her to 15 games in 2019. Miller saw action in six games as a first-year player last season.

 "We have a great group of returning players setting the standard while mentoring and leading our team," Arthur said. "I'm excited for our senior group and the fact that they will be able to compete and complete their collegiate careers. It may not be what they expected, but we will for sure make the most of it."