By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Shea Richardson-Pepper (Jr., DEF/MID, San Diego, CA/Scripps Ranch HS) scored five goals plus one assist and Olivia Austin (Fy., GK, San Diego, CA/La Jolla HS) registered 10 saves in goal, as the Willamette University women's lacrosse team defeated Whitworth University, 14-11, despite a late surge by the Pirates on Sunday, April 7 at Sparks Field. The Northwest Conference win improved Willamette to 8-2 on the season, 5-1 in the NWC. Whitworth slipped to 8-3 overall, 4-2 in the NWC.

Willamette held an 11-1 lead with 8:32 left in the third quarter. Whitworth trailed 13-5 after three quarters, but the Pirates outscored the Bearcats, 6-1, in the fourth quarter. Three of Whitworth's goals were player-advantage goals in the final 3:04.

The Bearcats controlled much of the play in the first half, as Willamette scored three goals in the first quarter and five goals in the second quarter for an 8-0 lead. Goals in the first quarter were provided by Alyssa Molisee (Fy., MID/ATT, Henderson, NV/Nevada State HS) at 9:54, Brooklynn Pearl (So., MID, Eugene, OR/Willamette HS) at 9:10, and Richardson-Pepper at 4:58.

A goal by Claire Kisielnicki (So., ATT, Manitou Springs, CO/Manitou Springs HS) just 42 seconds into the second quarter and a goal by Molisee at the 13:02 mark, increased the margin to 5-0. Richardson-Pepper tallied the next two goals for a three-goal hat trick with 4:17 on the clock. Kisielnicki scored her second goal in the final minute of the half.

Whitworth earned its first goal with 14:03 left in the third quarter on a shot by Campbell Vincent to pull the Pirates within 8-1. Sierra Witte received an assist on the play.

Richardson-Pepper answered with a goal at 9:55 and Lily Bachiochi (Jr., ATT, Henderson, NV/Coronado HS) scored for the Bearcats just over a minute later. After Richardson-Pepper scored again at 7:44, the Bearcats owned an 11-1 advantage. Rebecca Irwin and Witte achieved the next two goals for the Pirates, reducing Willamette's lead to 11-3. The Bearcats were in front 13-5 at the end of the third quarter following a goal by Bachiochi with three seconds on the clock.

Vincent hit the net for Whitworth as the clock reached 10:31 in the fourth quarter. Pearl won the ensuing draw control for Willamette and Bachiochi earned a goal just 15 seconds after the score by Vincent. Bachioshi's goal supplied the Bearcats with a 14-6 lead.

The Pirates tacked on five goals during the rest of the final quarter. All five goals were earned in the final 4:36, starting with a goal by Abby Hahn. Whitworth controlled the draw and Irwin scored 14 seconds later to cut the lead to 14-8.

Willamette received three penalties late in the game from two yellow cards and one green card, giving the Pirates a multiple-player advantage for most of the final 3:37. Both yellow cards were not releasable due to card accumulation. Whitworth scored player-advantage goals by Witte at 3:04, Kenison Turner at 1:03, and Jordyn Bennett with 25 seconds left.

Austin provided Willamette with five saves in the fourth quarter that impacted the game. Two of the saves were in the first three minutes of the quarter. Her final three saves were recorded at the 2:23 mark and with 42 seconds and four seconds left in the game.

In addition to Richardson-Pepper, other key scorers for the Bearcats were Bachiochi and Kisielnicki, each with three goals and one assist. Molisee scored two goals and Pearl contributed one goal and one assist. Irwin led Whitworth with three goals and two assists.

The Bearcats outshot Whitworth 32-31, including 23-21 in shots on target. Willamette also held a 32-17 advantage in ground balls, but the Pirates earned a 21-8 edge in draw controls. Molisee, Richarson-Pepper, Kendyl Jennings (Sr., MID, Keizer, OR/McNary HS), and Kiara Porter (Fy., DEF, Petaluma, CA/Casa Grande HS) each registered four ground balls for Willamette. Witte claimed four ground balls for the Pirates. Richardson-Pepper led all players with four caused turnovers.

Willamette will play at home for the third time in five days on Wednesday, April 10 against the University of Puget Sound. Game time for the NWC contest is set for 4 p.m. PDT.