By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Lewis & Clark College scored two goals in the first 18 minutes and the Pioneers went on to defeat Willamette University, 4-0, on Thursday, Oct. 7 at Griswold Stadium. The victory in the mid-week evening game sent L&C to 7-3-1 on the season, 5-2-0 in the Northwest Conference. The Bearcats fell to 3-8-0 overall, 2-5-0 in the NWC.

Celeste Schreifels scored two of Lewis & Clark's goals, including the game's first goal at 8:25. Schreifels shot on a header from about 12 yards out following an 18-yard blast by Alexa Myers that rebounded of the crossbar. Becca McCullough, who also scored twice for L&C, put in the second goal on a looping shot from 15 yards on the right side that sailed high into the air and then landed in the goal. The Pioneers remained in front 2-0 at halftime.

The Bearcats were outshot 10-3 in the first half, but forced L&C goalkeeper Abby Prager to make two saves. She stopped a shot by Lydia Emory (Fy., F, Tigard, OR/Tigard HS) at 34:45 and earned a save on another shot by Emory at 38:45. WU goalkeeper Jordan Roue (Sr., GK, San Jose, CA/Prospect HS) registered three saves in the first half.

Roue added saves at 49:40 and 51:26 following corner kicks by the Pioneers. Both were quality saves as she prevented Sara Klott and Abby Hayes from scoring.

The Pioneers increased their lead to 3-0 at 58:32 when McCullough put the ball into the net from 12 yards out after receiving a through-pass from Klott. Lewis & Clark added the final goal at 64:42 on a penalty kick taken by Schreifels. The penalty shot was awarded when a foul was committed by Willamette near the attacking left edge of the penalty area.

Willamette had several quality chances to score in the second half. A shot by Isabel Duxbury (Sr., D, Seattle, WA/University Prep) was saved by Prager at 81:26. Sydney Wilson (Sr., M, Olympia, WA/Capital HS) took a shot at 82:34 that went just wide to the left of the goal. Julia Fecteau (Sr., F/D, Bend, OR/Bend HS) earned a shot at 89:45 that went at Prager for a save following a corner kick.

Duxbury and Wilson provided outstanding play throughout the game. Duxbury stopped attacks by the Pioneers and connected with midfielders and forwards through her accurate passes. Wilson protected the ball in the midfield and provided good distribution to Willamette's other attacking players.

Prager finished with four saves for Lewis & Clark. Roue recorded six saves for Willamette. The Pioneers gained a 19-8 advantage in total shots and a 10-4 edge in shots on goal.

The Bearcats will play at George Fox University on Sunday, Oct. 10. Game time in Newberg, Oregon, is scheduled for 12 p.m. (PDT).