By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University and Whitworth University played to a 0-0 tie in a Northwest Conference women's soccer game at Sparks Field on Saturday, Oct. 15. Willamette outshot the Pirates 12-5 overall, but Whitworth held a 4-1 edge in shots on target. The Pirates went to 3-6-3 on the season, 3-4-2 in the NWC. The Bearcats moved to 4-7-1 overall, 2-6-1 in the NWC.

The game featured strong efforts from both defensive units, which limited the number of high-quality scoring chances. Whitworth goalie Kate Nelson made one save to register her shutout, while Bearcat goalkeeper Sam Borngasser (So., GK, Grants Pass, OR/Grants Pass HS) provided four saves on the way to her shutout.

"We played a very good team today and battled for the entire 90 minutes," Willamette Head Women's Soccer Coach Lisa Ljubicic commented. "We were happy with the work ethic and discipline of our group. The result and the performance were improvements from our last match with Whitworth and we're hoping to build on that for tomorrow's match."

For Willamette, Erin Denney (Fy., M, San Diego, CA/Point Loma HS) was a key player, defending when needed, and also controlling the ball on offense with creative plays and quality passes. She seemed to always be near the ball and was a leader in moving the team into the attack. Denney led Willamette with three total shots. She played 82 minutes.

Borngasser was in goal for all 90 minutes. Also playing every minute for Willamette were Braeden Glaser (Jr., F, Battle Ground, WA/Prairie HS), Jackie Gilroy (Sr., F, Mercer Island, WA/Mercer Island HS), Morgan Richards (Sr., D, Roseburg, OR/Roseburg HS/Univ. of Oregon), Jaime Haysman Boaler (So., D, Stanford, CA/Notre Dame HS), and Ivy Roman (Fy., D, Las Vegas, NV/Shadow Ridge HS).

The Bearcats gained a 7-4 shooting margin in the first half. After early sustained pressure by the Bearcats, Nina Krassner-Cybulski (So., F, Porter Ranch, CA/Agoura HS) took a shot that Nelson was forced to save. The Pirates took three shots during the half that led to saves by Borngasser. The accurate shots were taken by Taliya Miyama at 5:31, Laura Pereson at 20:53, and Kalle Crouch at 42:41. Bridget Bodor (Sr., F, Manitou Springs, CO/Manitou Springs HS) of Willamette missed wide right at 43:53 on the final shot of the half.

Willamette earned five shots in the second half to just one shot for Whitworth, but the Pirates took the only shot that was on target. It was taken by Kalena Pfaeltzer at 71:22 and was saved by Borngasser. Three of Willamette's shots in the second half were blocked, including one by Krassner-Cybulski with 31 seconds left in the game.

Both teams were very organized in their defensive and offensive strategies. Willamette managed to earn an 8-2 advantage in corner kicks. There were only 14 total fouls called during the game, with eight on Willamette and six against Whitworth, as neither team received a card.

The Bearcats will host Whitman College at Sparks Field on Sunday, Oct. 16. Game time is set for 12 p.m. (PDT).