By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Jordan Roue (Sr., GK, San Jose, CA/Prospect HS) of Willamette University registered seven saves to lead a strong defensive effort as the Bearcats earned a 3-0 victory over Whitworth University on Sunday, Oct. 24 at Sparks Field. Angelina De Leon (Fy., M, Marana, AZ/Salpointe Catholic HS), Sydney Wilson (Sr., M, Olympia, WA/Capital HS), and Emma Blackburn (Sr., F, Los Altos, CA/Saint Francis HS) each scored a goal for the Bearcats, while Joleigh Miller (Jr., D, Salem, OR/South Salem HS) provided two assists.

The Bearcats advanced their record to 5-11-0 on the season and to 4-8-0 in the Northwest Conference. Whitworth fell to 8-6-2 overall, 5-5-2 in the NWC. Willamette went 2-0 during the weekend, which began with a 2-1 win against Whitman College on Saturday, Oct. 23.

"I'm so proud of our team," Willamette Head Women's Soccer Coach Hillary Arthur said. "Getting two wins this weekend is a result of our hard work and commitment to each other. Today's win against a rested team (Whitworth previously played on Wednesday, while Willamette played yesterday) was powerful. Our energy was high and we produced at a high level on the field. We were fired up and ready to go!"

On Sunday, Willamette seized an opportunity for an early lead when De Leon tapped in a shot near the right post after Whitworth goalie Kate Nelson misplayed a low crossing pass from the left side. De Leon was ready to pounce on the ball and score her first goal as a Bearcat.

Whitworth outshot Willamette 11-3 in the first half, including four shots on goal. The best opportunity for the Pirates was at 21:54 when Bethany VanSant shot from 14 yards on the right side and forced Roue to make a diving save toward the center of the goal. Earlier in the half at 14:28, Ireland Eaton hit the right upright with a shot for the Pirates.

The Bearcats took their 1-0 lead into the second half. Sophie Cleland (So., M, Eugene, OR/North Eugene HS) took a pair of strong shots for Willamette in the 70th minute, as she hit the crossbar with her first shot and put a follow-shot on target that was saved by Nelson.

Willamette maintained its one-goal margin until Wilson scored at 75:51. The play began with a corner kick by Miller, who sent the ball near the top of the 6-yard box, where Wilson headed it into the lower right corner. Willamette scored again just under three minutes later at 78:42 when Blackburn received a long through-pass from the defensive end by Miller, dribbled into the 18-yard box, and shot from 8 yards to the lower left portion of the net. Later, Blackburn hit the right post at 83:16 on a shot from the top of the penalty area.

During the second half, the Bearcats gained an 11-6 advantage in total shots and a 4-3 edge in shots on goal. For the game, Whitworth held a 17-14 lead in shots and a 7-5 margin in shots on goal. Nelson earned two saves for the Pirates, both in the second half.

"This season has been full of ups and downs and plenty of injuries, which made it challenging to find rhythm and consistency," Arthur commented. "I'm so proud of everyone! The resilience, grit, optimism, and commitment of this group speaks volumes of who we are as a program. No matter how many times we've been knocked down, we continue to get back up and put the work in."

The Bearcats will return to action on Saturday, Oct. 30 at the University of Puget Sound. Game time is set for 12 p.m. (PDT) in Tacoma, Washington.