By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Lacey Jones (Sr., F, Portland, OR/David Douglas HS) and Bridget Bodor (So., F, Manitou Springs, CO/Manitou Springs HS) each scored in the first half to give Willamette University a 2-1 lead, but Pacific University rallied for a 3-2 win in two overtimes, during a Northwest Conference women's soccer game on Sunday, Feb. 28 at Sparks Field. The Boxers scored the tying goal with 3:42 left in regulation and won the game with 7:22 left in the second sudden-death overtime period.

Pacific advanced its record to 1-0 overall, 1-0 in the NWC. Willamette fell to 0-1, 0-1 in the NWC.

Willamette took an early 1-0 lead when Jones scored after receiving a crossing pass from Jackie Gilroy (So., F, Mercer Island, WA/Mercer Island HS) just 2:40 into the game. Jones' shot from 12 yards near the penalty spot beat Pacific goalie Catherine Corlett. Gilroy received an assist on the play.

Pacific tied the score at 31:43 on a goal by Karla Herrera-Zarate. Savannah Grosse was credited with an assist.

Less than four minutes later, Bodor put the Bearcats back in front 2-1 at the 35:03 mark. The play was assisted by Jones, whose long through-pass provided Bodor with the quality scoring chance. Bodor received the ball about 30 yards out and she moved toward the penalty area. Despite pressure from a defender, Bodor was able to avoid Corlett and create enough space for a shot from 18 yards out into an empty net.

The teams battled throughout the second half. Willamette had two very strong chances to increase its lead, but shots by the Bearcats hit the crossbar once and the right post once.

Pacific found the equalizing goal at 86:18 on a shot by Emma Gusman. She was assisted by Mikayla Farrow. Emma Blackburn (Jr., F, Los Altos, CA/Saint Francis HS) of Willamette barely missed wide left on a shot with 52 seconds to go, as she battled Pacific goalie Kelli Barber, who played in the second half.

Each team created a great opportunity to score during the second overtime session. Jones took an 18-yard shot for Willamette just 30 seconds after play resumed. Corlett, who re-entered the game after regulation, provided the Boxers with a leaping save as her fingertips pushed the ball wide. The winning goal followed a free kick for the Boxers that Gusman powered from 23 yards out. Willamette goalkeeper Jordan Roue (Jr., GK, San Jose, CA/Prospect HS) dove to send the ball into the crossbar. After the ball rebounded into play, Brooklyn Yano passed to Katelyn Volchok, who scored from close range for Pacific at 102:38.

Pacific outshot Willamette, 18-11 overall and 11-5 in shots on goal. Roue registered six saves while playing the final 57:38 for the Bearcats. Grasiela Quevedo-Ramos (Sr., GK, Salem, OR/West Salem HS), who started in goal for WU, earned two saves. Barber had two saves for Pacific. Corlett's only save was on the potential game-winner by Jones in the second overtime.

Willamette will play Pacific again on Sunday, March 14. The rematch is set for 12 p.m. (PDT) in Forest Grove, Oregon.