By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director
PARKLAND, Wash. -- Kinsey Keene (Jr., F, Eagle, ID/Eagle HS) produced two goals in the second half to break a scoreless tie and send the Willamette University Bearcats to a 2-0 victory over Pacific Lutheran University in a Northwest Conference women's soccer game on Saturday, Sept. 19. Willamette, which gave PLU its first loss of the season, improved to 1-4-1 overall, 1-1 in the NWC. The Lutes fell to 4-1-1, including 0-1-1 in the NWC.
Keene's first goal was scored following a penalty kick at 55:24. Keene took the penalty, but PLU goalkeeper Takara Mitsui recorded a save. the ball deflected back into the field, and Keene shot the rebound into the net.
The second goal was scored at 83:12, just 24 seconds after Mitsui stopped a shot on goal by Kate Matthews (Fr., M, Bainbridge, WA/Bainbridge HS) of Willamette. As the Bearcats returned to the attack, Keene moved past two defender and shot past Mitsui.
PLU took two shots and Willamette added one the rest of the way, as the Bearcat's closed out the shutout win.
Willamette goalie Emily Sewall (Jr., GK, Petaluma, CA/Casa Grande HS) saved a shot by Kelsey Hathaway only 24 seconds after Keene's second goal. A shot by Jamie Saito of PLU was blocked by a defender as time expired. In between, Emma Manset missed high on a shot for the Bearcats at 85:54.
For the game, WU outshot the Lutes, 16-10, including a 12-7 advantage in the second half. The Bearcats held an 11-5 margin in shots on goal. Mitsui finished with nine saves, including six in the second half. Sewall registered five saves to earn the shutout.
The first half featured four shots by Willamette and three for PLU, with each team placing three shots on goal. Each goalkeeper recorded three saves during the half.
Keene finished the game with six total shots and four shots on goal. Teammate Kelsey Walker (So., M/GK, Westerville, OH/Westerville North HS) took three shots -- all on target. Jamie Hoffman led PLU with two shots.
Willamette will host NWC rival Whitman College on Saturday, Sept. 26 at Sparks Field in Salem, Oregon. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. (PDT).
