Salem, OR - Willamette Women's Soccer battled Lewis & Clark in the opening conference match for both teams but a hat trick by the Pioneers Celeste Schreifels was too much for the Bearcats to overcome in a 3-0 defeat.

The first half was a very back-and-forth affair with each team creating solid scoring opportunities only to be turned away by good defense.  Then, in the 26th minute, Schreifles got free on a long delivery from teammate Elle Sparks and was able to head the ball past Bearcat goalkeeper Sam Borngasser.  For the half, Willamette led in shots 11 to 10, but the Lewis & Clark took a 1-0 lead to the break.  

Schreifels second goal came at the 57:54 mark of the second half and she completed the hat trick with a nifty move along the end line in the 68th minute.  Willamette continued to attack but was not able to find the back of the net.  Erin Denney returned to the lineup to lead the Bearcats in shots with 3, along with teammate Reagan Doty.  Amanda McArthur, Celeste Stanziola, and Ella McComas each fired two shots at the Pioneer goal.  

Borngasser played all 90 minutes in goal for the Bearcats and turned away seven shots for the second consecutive match.

Women's soccer travels to Tacoma this weekend to play Pacific Lutheran on Saturday, September 21st, and Puget Sound on Sunday, September 22nd.  The Bearcats' next home match is Sunday, September 29th against George Fox.