Bearcats Shut Out Augsburg (Minn.), 21-0, as Eight Players Score Goals

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- The Willamette University women's lacrosse team shut out Augsburg University (Minn.), 21-0, at Sparks Field on Wednesday, March 16, as Tati Klenk (Jr., ATT, Truckee, CA/Tahoe Truckee HS) scored five goals and seven other Bearcats provided at least two goals. The Bearcats improved to 5-1 on the season, including 4-0 at home, while Augsburg slipped to 0-5.

It was the first shutout for Willamette in women's lacrosse since the Bearcats began competing in the sport in 2019. Previously, the record for fewest goals allowed was set by the Bearcats in a 16-2 win at Pacific University on April 20, 2019.

The Bearcats also set school records against Augsburg by scoring 21 goals and earning 29 total points (goals + assists). Prior to Wednesday's game, the Willamette records were 19 goals (against three teams in 2021) and 27 points (versus Corban University on Feb. 27, 2021). Willamette's eight assists against Augsburg tied the school record set twice last season and once earlier this year (against Eastern Oregon University on Feb. 19).

Klenk's five goals led the way, while Catie Kawamura (Jr., ATT, San Diego, CA/San Diego International Studies) and Laura Kelly (Sr., ATT, Mountain View, CA/Mountain View HS) each contributed three goals and an assist. Lily Bachiochi (Fy., ATT, Henderson, NV/Coronado HS) supplied two goals and five assists. Maddie Garcia (Jr., MID, Encinitas, CA/San Dieguito Academy) registered two goals and one assists, while Analise Wilson (So., MID, Temecula, CA/Chaparral HS), Kendyl Jennings (So., MID, Keizer, OR/McNary HS), and Shea Richardson-Pepper (Fy., D/M, San Diego, CA/Scripps Ranch HS) each finished with two goals.

WU goalkeeper Shelby Sawyer (Jr., GK, Marysville, WA/Bio Med Academy) earned five saves to record the complete-game shutout. She lowered her goals against average for the season to 7.33, as she moved to 5-1 in goal.

Jennings topped the Bearcats with seven ground balls, while Bachiochi tacked on five ground balls. Kawamura and Wilson each registered five draw controls. Emma Canchola (Sr., DEF, Oregon City OR/Oregon City HS) forced two turnovers by Augsburg.

The Bearcats outshot the Auggies 32-7 overall and 28-5 in shots on goal. WU also held a 15-8 edge in draw controls and a 26-12 advantage in ground balls. The Auggies committed 15 turnovers, while Willamette lost the ball 13 times.

Emma Meythaler of Augsburg was credited with seven saves in goal. Maylynn Prokopec and Mackenzie Galazen each took two shots for the Auggies.

Willamette opened the game with five goals in the first five minutes. Bachiochi scored the first goal, which was followed by two goals from Klenk and two goals by Kelly. The Bearcats held a 10-0 lead at the end of the first quarter and led 13-0 at halftime.

The Bearcats will return to action on Friday, March 18 when they host Hamline University (Minn.) at Sparks Field. Game time is set for 5 p.m. (PDT).