By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University goalkeeper Siera Edwards (So., GK, Portland, OR/Sunset HS) made eight saves, but the Bearcats fell to Whitman College, 2-1, in a Northwest Conference battle at Sparks Field on Sunday, Oct. 1. The game-winning goal for the Blues was scored by Leah Barnes with 13:35 left. Whitman lifted its record to 5-2-2 overall and to 4-1-0 in the NWC. Willamette ended the game at 0-7-2 on the season, 0-4-1 in the NWC.
For the second day in a row, Natalie Rodriguez-De La Torre (Fy., F/M, Burien, WA/Holy Names HS) scored the first goal of the game for the Bearcats. Against Whitman, she tallied the goal at 30:21 on an assist from Jaime Haysman Boaler (So., D, Stanford, CA/Notre Dame HS). The scoring play began with a shot by Haysman Boaler that was saved by Whitman goalie Hannah Hagler. The goalie was unable to control the ball, which went to Rodriguez-De La Torre, who shot from four yards into the left corner of the goal.
The Blues tied the score at 1-1 with a similar goal about eight minutes later at 38:17. The goal was scored by Molly Beaulieu on an 8-yard shot that hit the net a bit to the left of center. As on Willamette's goal, the successful shot was earned on a second chance following a rebound. On Whitman's tying goal, the first shot was by Kiki Glorioso and was saved by Edwards.
Willamette and Whitman were still tied at halftime and remained tied for more than 30 minutes into the second half. Whitman broke the tie and took a 2-1 lead on a goal by Leah Barnes at 76:25. Katherine Sand provided an assist on the play. Barnes scored on a 10-yard shot after a cross from the left by Sand was slightly deflected, but still reached Barnes.
After the goal by Barnes, Willamette worked to get into the attacking third. Ella Abraham (Jr., F, Lexington, KY/Lafayette HS) took a shot for the Bearcats at 81:06 that Hagler saved. Willamette continued to try to press the attack, but the Blues limited WU's quality changes and maintained the lead.
During the game, Whitman attained a 19-11 margin in total shots and held a 10-7 advantage in shots on goal. The Blues also earned a 7-3 lead in corner kicks. Hagler recorded six saves for Whitman.
Beaulieu led all players with three shots on goal. For Willamette, Rodriguez-De La Torre contributed three total shots, while Ella Abraham (Jr., F, Lexington, KY/Lafayette HS) and Claire Warthen (Fy, Bremerton, WA/Bremerton HS) each provided WU with two shots on target.
The Bearcats are set to play at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon, on Tuesday, Oct. 3. Game time is slated for 5 p.m. PDT. The game was originally scheduled for Sept. 16, but was postponed due to health and safety protocols.
