By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

WALLA WALLA, Wash. -- Willamette University scored a goal late in the first half and then added two goals in the first 10 minutes of the second half, as the Bearcats shut out Whitman College, 3-0, on Sunday, Sept. 18 at the Whitman Athletic Fields. The road win upped Willamette's record to 3-2 on the season, and event the Bearcats' NWC mark at 1-1. Whitman fell to 3-2 overall, 0-2 in the NWC.

Clara Mattison (Sr., M, Burlington, WA/Burlington Edison HS) put Willamette in front 1-0 on a shot with just over two minutes remaining in the first half at 42:58. Mattison won the ball near the top of the 18-yard box and shot from 16 yards into the right corner of the goal. At halftime, Wilalmette held a 3-2 edge in total shots.

Willamette's lead reached 2-0 at 52:37 on a goal by Nina Krassner-Cybulski (So., F, Porter Ranch, CA/Agoura HS) from 14 yards. Krassner-Cybulski hauled in a through-pass from the midfield. She then moved past a defender and shot into the right corner of the net around goalkeeper Emily Badgley, who played the final 45 minutes for the Blues. Krassner-Cylbulski leads the team with four goals and has scored a goal in four of the Bearcat's five games.

Less than two minutes later, Ella Abraham (So., F, Lexington, KY/Lafayette HS) scored Willamette's third goal at 54:21. She dribbled past a two Whitman defenders while moving into the center of the field before shooting from 15 yards, sending the ball  high in to the net.

"The team bounced back from a tough match on Saturday (1-0 loss at Whitworth) with a really positive and competitive presence," Willamette Head Women's Soccer Coach Lisa Ljubicic said. "The players were committed to not only keep the ball out of our net, but converting good possession into some really nice goals. Everyone did their part today. It was a really good first conference win."

The Bearcats earned a 12-6 edge in total shots and a 7-1 advantage in shots on goal. WU outshot the Blues 9-4 in the second half. Goalies Rachel Compton (Sr., GK, Lake Stevens, WA/Lake Stevens HS/Skagit Valley College) and Sam Borngasser (So., GK, Grants Pass, OR/Grants Pass HS) shared the shutout, as Compton played the first 65:55 and Borngasser completed the game. Compton did not have to make a save, while Borngasser contributed one save.

For Whitman, Badgley made three saves in the second half. Starter Hannah Hagler registered one save in the first half.

Willamette will play at Linfield University on Saturday, Sept. 24. Game time in McMinnville, Oregon, is scheduled for 12 p.m. (PDT).