By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- The Bearcats of Willamette University are set to open the 2023 women's soccer regular season with two games in California this weekend. Willamette will play at Chapman University on Friday, Sept. 1 at 7 p.m. PDT in Orange, California and will take on California Lutheran University on Sunday, Sept. 3 at 1:30 p.m. in Thousand Oaks, California.

Willamette's roster includes two players who were named Honorable Mention All-NWC in 2022. They are offensive standouts Nina Krassner-Cybulski (Jr., F, Porter Ranch, CA/Agoura HS) and Erin Denney (So., M, San Diego, CA/Point Loma HS). Other top returning players are Sam Borngasser (Jr., GK, Grants Pass, OR/Grants Pass HS), Sophie Cleland (Sr., M, Eugene, OR/North Eugene HS), Ella Abraham (Jr., F, Lexington, KY/Lafayette HS).

Krassner-Cybulski played in 18 of 19 games with 12 starts in 2022. She led WU with eight goals on the season to go along one assist as she earned 17 total points. Her ball-control skills made her difficult to defense. She took 22 shots and put 14 shots on target. In two seasons at Willamette, Krassner-Cybulski has played in 38 games (22 starts) and has contributed nine goals and two assists.

Denney provided strong midfield play for the Bearcats last year and was a key player on offense. She saw action in all 19 games with 18 starts. She was able to pressure opponents into committing turnovers. At the end of the season, she ranked second on the team in overall scoring with 10 points, and tied for second with four goals. She also earned two assists. Denney created 28 shots and placed 20 shots on target.

At goalkeeper, Borngasser played in 10 matches in 2022, including six starts. She played 612:43 in the nets, while earning 27 saves and a 2.06 goals against average.

Cleland seemed to always add a boost to the offense when she played. She saw action in 16 games and made 13 starts. She scored one goals and one assist. Abraham scored four goals for the Bearcats, including game-winners against Whitman College and Pacific University. She played in 16 games with 11 starts.

In Willamette's 2-0 win versus Evergreen State University (Wash.) in an exhibition game on Tuesday, Aug. 29, the Bearcats did not allow a shot on goal by the Geoducks. The Bearcats held a 16-6 edge in total shots and an 8-0 advantage in shots on target.