By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- The Willamette University women's soccer team defeated the Northwest Conference leader, Pacific Lutheran University, 1-0, on Friday, Nov. 7 at Sparks Field. Willamette improved to 3-14-2 on the season, 2-11-2 in the NWC. Pacific Lutheran fell to 14-4-1, 12-3-0 in the NWC

McKenzie Andringa (Jr., MF, Yakima, WA/La Salle HS) scored the game's only goal on an 11-yard shot in the middle of the field that went off a defender on its way toward the goal. Malia Simpson (Sr., MF, Fairbanks, AK/West Valley HS), who sent a crossing pass to Andringa from the right side, received an assist on the play.

The Lutes, ranked #4 in the West Region of NCAA Division III by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), entered the game alone in first place in the NWC standings. The PLU loss, combined with University of Puget Sound's 3-0 win over Pacific University on Friday, leaves the Lutes and the Loggers tied for first with one game remaining.

Emily Sewall (So., GK, Petaluma, CA/Casa Grande HS) earned seven saves in goal for the Bearcats, as she recorded her fifth shutout of the season. Takara Mitsui made four saves for Pacific Lutheran.

After WU took the lead, the Bearcats had another chance to score at 39:17, but a shot by Sarah Desautels (Sr., MF/F, Snohomish, WA/Glacier Park HS) was saved by Mitsui. On the ensuing corner kick, Emma Sanders (So., MF, Kennewick, WA/Southridge HS) sent a header toward goal, but a defender cleared the ball.

PLU's Blake Warner had a shot blocked at 42:11 and Hannah Bush shot wide right at 44:38. The Bearcats were still in front 1-0 at halftime.

The goalies combined for eight saves in the second half, with five by Sewall and three by Mistui.

A shot by Desautels was saved by Mitsui just under a minute after the intermission. Sewall grabbed a shot by Kaylie Rozell at 53:39. Machaela Graddy had two shots for PLU in the 69th minute. Her first shot was saved by Sewall and her follow shot with wide left.

Hailey Smoot of Pacific Lutheran had a shot blocked at 69:28 and Sewall registered save when Emily Hanna shot 11 seconds later.

For Willamette, Kinsey Keene (So., MF, Eagle, ID/Eagle HS) took a quality shot at 78:31, but Mitsui earned a save. Simpson sent a shot goalward at 79:35 only to have Mitsui add another save.

Perhaps the best chance of the second half was by Graddy at 85:01. Graddy took a lengthy pass just before the attacking third of the field. He outraced two Bearcats for the ball and shot from 15 yards on the breakaway. Sewall made a save and held onto the ball.

PLU took two more shots in the final 4:05. Hanna missed wide left on the first shot and Lauren Larson missed wide right on the game's final shot, a header at 88:50.

The Lutes outshot the Bearcats, 17-9 overall and had a 10-2 lead in corner kicks, but PLU owned a much closer 7-6 advantage in shots on goal. Rozell led all players with five shots, while Hanna and Graddy each finished with four. Desautels topped the Bearcats with three shots, including two shots on goal.

Willamette will conclude the season on Saturday, Nov. 8, by taking on Pacific University at Sparks Field. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. (PST).