By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director

SALEM, Ore. -- Emma Vukic of Linfield College scored twice in the first half and the Wildcats held off Willamette University in the second half to defeat the Bearcats, 2-1, in the Northwest Conference women's soccer opener for both teams on Wednesday, Sept. 16 at Sparks Field. Marley Duncan (So., F, Pukalani, HI/Kamehameha School) scored for WU at 62:16, but the Bearcats were unable to put in a tying goal.

Linfield upped its record to 4-0 on the season, 1-0 in the NWC. Willamette fell to 0-4-1 overall, 0-1 in NWC action.

Both of the goals by Vukic were unassisted. She scored the first goal at 13:21 on a 22-yard free kick. She sent the ball over the reach of Willamette goalkeeper Emily Sewall (Jr., GK, Petaluma, CA/Casa Grande HS) and into the top middle of the net.

The second goal came at the end of a lengthy run through the center of the field. Vukic took possession 45 yards from the Willamette goal and moved quickly upfield. She got past a couple of Bearcat defenders and shot from 18 yards.

Linfield outshot Willamette 4-3 in the first half, including a 3-2 edge in shots on goal. The top chance for the Bearcats in the first 45 minutes was a shot by Kelsey Walker (So., M/GK, Westerville, OH/Westerville North HS) at 34:07 that was pushed over the crossbar by Linfield goalie Sarah Bailey.

Willamette outshot the Wildcats 9-2 in the second half. Three of WU's shots were on goal, while Linfield placed one shot on target in the second half.

The Bearcats cut the margin in half with Duncan's goal. Jill Phillips (Sr., D/GK, Fairbanks, AK/West Valley HS) started the play with a free kick from the right side of the field. Duncan met the ball four yards from the goal near the left post. She scored into the middle of the net.

WU kept challenging Linfield with six more shots -- two on goal. Duncan placed a shot toward the goal at 73:56 that Bailey saved. Karin Hokanson (Sr., F/M, Woodinville, WA/International Community School) took a corner kick that was heading directly into the goal until Bailey touched the ball over the crossbar at 85:48.

Bailey finished with four saves for the Wildcats. Sewall recorded two saves for the Bearcats.

Willamette gained a 12-6 advantage in total shots for the full 90 minutes. The Bearcats also held a 4-0 edge in corner kicks.

The next game for Willamette is set for Saturday, Sept. 19 at Pacific Lutheran University. Game time for the NWC match-up is 12 p.m. (PDT).