By Charlie McGuire, Athletics Communications Assistant
SALEM, Ore. – The Willamette University women's soccer team traded second half goals with visiting Linfield University, sending the game into overtime on Saturday, Oct. 16, at Sparks Field. The Wildcats converted a corner, just 2:47 into the first extra frame, to claim a 2-1 decision.
The Bearcats struck first, scoring directly off a corner with exactly 30 minutes remaining in regulation. Junior Joleigh Miller (D, Salem, OR/South Salem HS) bended the ball into the back of the net from the left corner to put Willamette in front 1-0.
The Wildcats answered in the 79th minute when Lili Lucas collected a loose ball after a Linfield corner and found enough room to net her first goal of the season from six yards out.
The teams traded possessions over the final 10 minutes, but neither had a strong chance to break the tie, sending the match into overtime.
Linfield wasted little time putting the pressure on, moving the ball into their attacking third. The Wildcats immediately had a shot that was blocked by the Bearcat defense. Linfield forced back-to-back corners and would capitalize as senior Ashley Guldager scored directly off the second attempt, netting the game-winner with her third goal of the season.
Willamette held the possession early in the first half. Even so, Linfield was able to create some strong chances, hitting the post once while Bearcat goalkeeper Sam Borngasser (Fy., Grants Pass, OR/Grants Pass) turned away five shots before the break.
WU created a strong chance late in the half as Nina Krassner-Cybulski (Fy., F, Porter Ranch, CA/Agoura HS) slipped behind the defense, but sophomore goaltender Emma Mulligan came away with a big save.
Linfield held a 6-0 shot advantage in the second half and produced the only three shots in overtime. The Wildcats held a significant 19-5 advantage for the match. Linfield held an edge in corner kicks as well at 9-3.
Borngasser finished with eight saves on the afternoon, while Mulligan tallied three stops, all in the first half.
With the win, Linfield improves to 3-8-2 overall and 3-6-0 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette slips to 3-10-0 and 2-7-0 in the NWC.
The Bearcats return to action tomorrow afternoon (Oct. 17) when they will be traveling to Forest Grove, Oregon. Willamette is set to face Pacific University at 12:00 p.m. (PDT).
