By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- The Willamette University women's soccer team battled a highly-successful George Fox University squad to a scoreless tie for 70 minutes, but the Boxers scored in the 73rd and 78th minutes to defeat the Bearcats, 2-0, at Sparks Field on Sunday, Oct. 9. George Fox, which has outscored its opponents 32-4 this season, remained undefeated at 7-0-3 overall and 5-0-3 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette ended the game at 4-7 overall, 2-6 in the NWC. Clara Mattison (Sr., M, Burlington, WA/Burlington Edison HS) played exceptionally well for Willamette in all phases of the game.
The Bruins outshot the Bearcats 30-5 during the game, including 8-3 in shots on goal, but Willamette's midfielders and defenders kept the visitors from scoring for most of the contest. Many of GFU's shots were from a distance, with Maggie Phillips taking 15 shots overall, including three shots on goal.
Phillips capitalized on one of her shots at 72:27 to give the Bruins a 1-0 lead. She shot from 8-yards and slotted the ball into the lower right corner of the goal. She was assisted with a header by Hayven Richardson from several yards inside the 18-yard box, and by Willa Evans, who began the play with a lengthy pass from a few yards past the midfield stripe.
George Fox earned another shot at 73:40. The effort from Maggie Choate was saved by WU goalkeeper Sam Borngasser (So., GK, Grants Pass, OR/Grants Pass HS). GFU increased its lead to 2-0 when Becca Kozak scored on a 10-yard shot at 77:15. She scored into the lower right section of the net following a cross from the right side by Phillips.
Mattison and Braeden Glaser (Jr., F, Battle Ground, WA/Prairie HS) each took two shots for Willamette. Glaser placed both of her shots on target.
The Bruins gained an 8-3 edge in corner kicks. Borngasser registered seven saves for the Bearcats, while GFU goalie Madeline Bailey made three saves while recording the shutout. Defensive efforts by the Bruins made it difficult for the Bearcats to create shots although Willamette created a number of quality possessions.
Willamette will host Whitworth University at Sparks Field on Saturday, Oct. 15. Game time is scheduled for 12 p.m. (PDT).
