By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director

SALEM, Ore. -- Jill Phillips (Sr., D/GK, Fairbanks, AK/West Valley HS) scored on a penalty kick at 24:23, and the Bearcats maintained the lead the rest of the way for a 1-0 victory over Whitworth University on Sunday, Sept. 27 at Sparks Field.

The shot by Phillips on the penalty kick went into the left part of the goal. Phillips set up the play with a shot that was knocked down by the arm of Whitworth player Megan McCart. The header followed a corner kick taken by Veronica Ewers (Sr., F, Moscow, ID/Moscow HS).

Andrea Stump, Whitworth's goalkeeper, deflected the ball toward Jaclyn Parnell (Jr., D, West Richland, WA/Richland HS) of Willamette. Parnell trapped it and Phillips kicked it goalward. A penalty kick was awarded and McCart was issued a red card.

Whitworth had to play with 10 players for the final 65:37 after McCart was sent off.

The Bearcats improved to 3-4-1 on the season, 3-1 in the Northwest Conference. Whitworth dropped to 5-4 overall, 3-2 in the NWC.

Kelsey Walker (So., M/GK, Westerville, OH/Westerville North HS) of Willamette, playing in goal for the first time in her collegiate career due to an injury to regular starter Emily Sewall (Jr., GK, Petaluma, CA/Casa Grande HS), recorded six saves to earn the shutout. Walker registered five of her six saves in the first half.

With Walker in goal, Phillips moved from her usual defensive position into the midfield to start the game. She moved back to defense after the goal was scored.

Willamette earned 18 shots with 10 shots on goal, while Whitworth ended the game with 14 total shots and six shots on goal. Stump was credited with seven saves in goal for Whitworth. The Bearcats held a slim 5-4 advantage in corner kicks.

The Pirates had perhaps their best chance to score at 63:12 when Tiara Pajimola took a shot that went barely past the right post. Pajimola topped all players with seven total shots and three shots on goal.

For Willamette, Kinsey Keene (Jr., F, Eagle, ID/Eagle HS) and Marley Duncan (So., F, Pukalani, HI/Kamehameha School) each took four shots with two shots on goal.

The Bearcats will return to action on Saturday, Oct. 3 at George Fox University. Game time in Newberg, Oregon, is scheduled for 12 p.m. (PDT).