By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University scored the game's final three goals to erase an early lead for Pacific University, as the Bearcats roared past the Boxers 3-1 in a Northwest Conference game at Sparks Field on Friday, Oct. 6. Claire Warthen (Fy., M, Bremerton, WA/Bremerton HS), Nina Krassner-Cybulski (Jr., F, Porter Ranch, CA/Agoura HS), and Ella McComas (Fy., F, Seattle, WA/Cleveland HS) each scored one goal for the Bearcats. The game was the first athletic event at home during this year's Family Weekend.
The victory moved Willamette to 1-8-2 on the season and to 1-5-1 in the NWC. It was Willamette's first win of the season, but the Bearcats have been playing well for several games. The Bearcats lost three consecutive games by 2-1 margins before defeating the Boxers. Pacific fell to 2-8-0 overall, 1-6-0 in the NWC.
Pacific recorded the first goal of the game at 14:27 on a 10-yard shot by Mirella Garcia. When she shot, Garcia was level with the right post. The shot hit the underside of the crossbar a bit to the left of center and dropped down behind the goal line. Katelyn Vochok assisted on the play with a short pass to Garcia.
Warthen's goal tied the score at 1-1 just over 12 minutes later at 26:50. She intercepted a pass and then shot from the upper right corner of the 18-yard box into the lower left portion of the goal. The score was still tied at halftime.
Willamette took the lead for good early in the second half at 50:54. The play began with a through-pass from Erin Denney (So., M, San Diego, CA/Point Loma HS) to Krassner-Cybulski. Cybulski surged unmarked into the penalty area and moved past Pacific goalkeeper Isabella De La Cruz before shooting from 15 yards into the lower right corner.
The Bearcats maintained the 2-1 advantage for just under 26 minutes. McComas provided an insurance goal at 76:26. She scored unassisted on an extreme-angle shot from the right side near the end line. The shot somehow went around De La Cruz at the right post and snuck into the goal.
Pacific earned two shots in the final three minutes. The first was an attempt by Rhyah Jackson that WU goalkeeper Siera Edwards (So., GK, Portland, OR/Sunset HS) grabbed. The second shot was by Ella Mee and went high over the goal.
For the game, Willamette held a 14-11 lead in total shots and a 9-4 margin in shots on goal. Edwards made three saves for the Bearcats, while De La Cruz was credited with five saves for Pacific. The Boxers also registered a team save when a defender cleared a shot by Krassner-Cybulski off the line at 57:36. Both teams achieved four corner kicks.
Krassner-Cybulski topped all players with four total shots and three shots on target. Warthen of Willamette and Jackson of Pacific each took three shots with two shots on goal.
Willamette will play at Pacific Lutheran University on Sunday, Oct. 8. Game time in Tacoma, Washington, is set for 12 p.m. PDT.
