By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University controlled most of its women's soccer game against Bushnell University on Friday, Sept. 10, as the Bearcats shut out the Beacons, 4-0, at Sparks Field. Emma Blackburn (Sr., F, Los Altos, CA/Saint Francis HS) scored two goals, while Aanya Friedeman (So., M, Camas, WA/Camas HS) and Bridget Bodor (Jr., F, Manitou Springs, CO/Manitou Springs HS) each scored once.

The Bearcats improved to 1-3 on the season, while Bushnell dropped to 2-3. Willamette outshot the Beacons 31-15, including 16-3 in shots on goal.

In addition to scoring four goals, the Bearcats hit the crossbar twice. Clara Mattison (Jr., M, Burlington, WA/Burlington Edison HS) hit the crossbar on a penalty kick at 26:54 and Jackie Gilroy (Jr., F, Mercer Island, WA/Mercer Island HS) sent a shot into the crossbar at 34:41. Bushnell's goalkeeper, Anabel Mendez, earned 12 saves during the game, including eight in the first half.

Blackburn opened the scoring at 21:23 on a direct free kick from 18 yards in the center of the field into the upper left corner of the goal. Friedeman doubled Willamette's lead to 2-0 just under six minutes later at 27:12. She shot from four yards out near the left post.

Willamette maintained its 2-0 lead until midway through the second half when Bodor scored at 63:23. The goal was on a header from six yards out into the middle of the goal. Gilroy received an assist after starting the play with a corner kick.

The lead reached 4-0 for the Bearcats at 78:50 when Blackburn tallied her second goal of the game. Blackburn shot from 12 yards into the lower right portion of the net after receiving a pass by Sydney Wilson (Sr., M, Olympia, WA/Capital HS) from the top of the penalty box.

WU starting goalie Sam Borngasser (Fy., GK, Grants Pass, OR/Grants Pass HS)  played 62:55 and improved to 1-1 on the season. Rachel Compton (So., GK, Lake Stevens, WA/Lake Stevens HS/Skagit Valley College) played the final 27:05 for the Bearcats, but did not have to record a save.

The Bearcats will open Northwest Conference action at Linfield College on Saturday, Sept. 18. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. (PDT) in McMinnville, Oregon.