By Charlie McGuire, Athletic Communications Assistant

TACOMA, Wash. – Northwest Conference front-runner University of Puget Sound improved to 9-2-0 overall and 6-1-0 in conference play with a 3-0 win over visiting Willamette University on Saturday, October 8. The Loggers earned the win behind a natural hat-trick from Ana Cholakian. The Bearcats move to 4-6-0 overall and 2-4-0 in the NWC.

Cholakian struck early with a pair of first half goals. The senior forward scored unassisted almost exactly four minutes apart, netting the game-winner 14:15 into the match and struck again at 18:17.

The teams traded corners in the first half while Willamette held a slim advantage in shots, 3-2. Clara Mattison (Sr., M, Burlington, WA/Burlington Edison HS) put a strike on target, forcing a save from Logger goalkeeper Chaylea Tome in the 25 th minute.

The Willamette defense had the offside trap working in the opening stanza, forcing three turnovers before the break. Cholakian recorded both shots for the hosts, capitalizing on both attempts for the 2-0 advantage.

Cholakian closed out the scoring in the 64 th minute, finishing an assist from Emily O'Neill. She had another opportunity just minutes later, but senior Rachel Compton (GK, Lake Stevens, WA/Lake Stevens HS) came away with the save.

The Loggers finished the match with a 6-5 advantage in shots and a 4-2 edge in shots on goal. Puget Sound forced a pair of corners in the second half to lead that category 3-2.

The Bearcats return to action on Sunday, hosting George Fox University on Sunday. The opening kickoff is set for 12 p.m. (PDT) on Sparks Field.