By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

FOREST GROVE, Ore. -- Emma Blackburn (Jr., F, Los Altos, CA/Saint Francis HS) scored two goals and provided an assist, leading Willamette University to a 3-1 victory against Pacific University in a Northwest Conference women's soccer game on Sunday, March 14. The Bearcats evened their record at 1-1 overall, 1-1 in the NWC. Pacific dropped to 1-3 overall, 1-3 in the NWC.

The game began in much the same way as the first meeting between the two teams on Feb. 28. In both games, Willamette scored early and built a 2-0 lead, but Pacific pulled within 2-1 at halftime. In the first meeting, Pacific scored a tying goal late in the second half and added a goal in the second overtime to rally for a 3-2 win. In the rematch on Sunday, Willamette added an insurance goal with just under 30 minutes remaining to secure the win.

"It was a great result for us on the road today," Willamette Head Women's Soccer Coach Hillary Arthur commented. "We did well playing into the game and building momentum. Our back line and both goalkeepers did an outstanding job of shutting down Pacific's attack and keeping the ball out of the net. On the attacking side, we did well creating space and gaps to play into. We had excellent finishing in front of goal with Emma and Lacey. I'm very proud of our effort and resilience."

Blackburn set up Willamette's first goal with a nifty through-pass to Lacey Jones (Sr., F, Portland, OR/David Douglas HS), who received the ball about 25 yards out. Jones moved toward the goal and slotted the ball from 12 yards past goalkeeper Catherine Corlett and into the net just 12:13 into the game. Blackburn added Willamette's next goal at 21:43, giving the Bearcats a 2-0 lead. Savannah Grosse scored for the Boxers at 28:26 on an assist from Katelyn Volchok. Willamette retained its one-goal margin at halftime.

Each team took four shots in the first half, with all eight shots on goal. Shortly after Lacey's goal, the Bearcats nearly scored two more times in the next few minutes, as Jackie Gilroy (So., F, Mercer Island, WA/Mercer Island HS) placed a shot on target at 14:09 and Paige Murray (Jr., D, Olympia, WA/Capital HS) sent a shot toward the goal at 18:34. Corlett stopped both attempts, but wasn't able to stop the shot by Blackburn about three minutes later. WU starting goalie Grasiela Quevedo-Ramos (Sr., GK, Salem, OR/West Salem HS) played the first 45 minutes and registered three saves, including one on a shot by Lydia King at 41:04.

Blackburn extended Willamette's advantage to 3-1 with a goal at 61:05. Her shot was just seconds after a shot by Aanya Friedeman (Fy., M, Camas, WA/Camas HS) of WU was saved by Corlett. Friedeman received an assist on the play.

Jordan Roue (Jr., GK, San Jose, CA/Prospect HS) went into goal for the Bearcats at the start of the second half. She recorded four saves -- all after Willamette gained its final two-goal margin on the scoreboard.

Emma Gusman of Pacific hit the post with a shot at 65:35. Gusman shot again at 66:12, but Roue earned a save. Roue added a save at 73:45 and then stopped two shots in the last six minutes. She saved Nicole Henry's shot at 84:31 and rejected a shot by Emily Wiltshire at 89:17.

Pacific ended the game with a 10-7 advantage in total shots and an 8-7 edge in shots on goal. The Boxers gained a 6-4 lead in corner kicks.

The Bearcats will host Linfield University in a Northwest Conference game on Wednesday, March 17. Game time is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. (PDT).