By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- The Willamette University women's soccer squad will begin the Northwest Conference season this weekend with a game at Linfield University on Saturday, Sept. 18, followed by a home game against Pacific University at Sparks Field on Sunday, Sept. 19. Both games will start at 12 p.m. (PDT).

Willamette enters the weekend with a 1-3 record after defeating Bushnell University, 4-0, on Friday, Sept. 10. Linfield enters the weekend with a 1-2-1 overall record, while Pacific is 2-1 on the season.

Emma Blackburn (Sr., F, Los Altos, CA/Saint Francis HS) tops the Willamette scoring chart with three goals and six total points. She scored two goals in the win over Bushnell. Bridget Bodor (Jr., F, Manitou Springs, CO/Manitou Springs HS), Isabel Duxbury (Sr., D, Seattle, WA/University Prep), Aanya Friedeman (So., M, Camas, WA/Camas HS), and Clara Mattison (Jr., M, Burlington, WA/Burlington Edison HS) each have scored one goal. Jackie Gilroy (Jr., F, Mercer Island, WA/Mercer Island HS), and Sydney Wilson (Sr., M, Olympia, WA/Capital HS) both have earned one assist.

In goal, Sam Borngasser (Fy., GK, Grants Pass, OR/Grants Pass HS) has played 198 minutes, while Jordan Roue (Sr., GK, San Jose, CA/Prospect HS) has played 135 minutes. Borngasser leads the team with a 0.91 goals against average, 18 saves, and a .900 save percentage.

Head Coach Hillary Arthur is in her 14th season with the Bearcats. She has led WU to at least a .500 record during five of the past six seasons, including 13-4-3 in 2017, 12-4-4 in 2018, and 11-7-2 in 2019.