Bachiochi Nets Six as Bearcats Roll Past Pacific

By Charlie McGuire, Athletics Communications Assistant

FOREST GROVE, Ore. – The Willamette University women's lacrosse team turned in a dominant performance in a 15-1 win at Pacific University on Wednesday, March 30. With the win the Bearcats improved to 7-3 overall and 4-1 in the Northwest Conference. Pacific fell to 2-7 on the season and 0-5 in the NWC.

The Bearcats had a strong start, taking a 4-0 lead in the first quarter. Lily Bachiochi (Fy., A, Henderson, NV/Coronado HS) led the way, scoring three straight goals for a natural hat-trick. She put Willamette on the board at the 11:23 mark and found the net twice in the final two minutes of the period.

Catie Kawamura (San Diego, CA/San Diego International Studies) stretched the lead to 4-0, scoring with just 12 seconds remaining in the period. The Bearcats controlled all five draws and forced 11 turnovers in the opening 15 minutes as well.

Willamette stretched the lead to 6-0 with a pair of goals in the second quarter. Bachiochi netted her fourth of the game at the 8:20 mark and Laura Kelly (Sr., A, Mountainview, CA/Mountain View HS) finished an assist from Kendyl Jennings (So., M, Keiser, OR/McNary HS) with 1:15 remaining in the half.

The Bearcats controlled possession for the better part of the opening two periods. They held a 17-4 shot advantage and controlled 7-of-8 draws while causing 13 turnovers before the break. Junior goaltender Shelby Sawyer (Marysville, WA/Bio Med Academy) came up with a big save on a free position attempt from the center hashmark late in the half to keep the Boxers off the board.

The Bearcats continued to control play in the second half. They doubled the lead with six goals in the third quarter, extending the margin to 12-0. Bachiochi fed Kelly in the opening minute and finished the period with a goal and two assists.

Maddie Garcia (Jr., M, Encinitas, CA/San Dieguito HS) scored back-to-back goals while Jennings and Kawamura split the pipes as well. The Bearcats stretched their advantage on draws to 12-3 at the end of the period.

Willamette scored at the 14:19 mark for the second straight period as Bachiochi tallied her sixth of the afternoon with an assist from Kawamura. Pacific spoiled the shutout with a goal at the 11:45 mark before Willamette added two more of their own for the final of 15-1. Garcia added another to finished with a hat-trick and Shea Richardson-Pepper (Fy., D/M, San Diego, CA/Scripps Ranch HS) closed out the scoring at the 3:15 mark.

The Bearcats outshot the Boxers, 29-11, putting 23 attempts on-goal. They finished with a 14-3 edge on draws and 17-13 advantage on ground balls. Kawamura controlled eight draws while Analise Wilson (So., M, Temecula, CA/Chaparral HS) pulled in six to lead the way.

Willamette is on the road again this weekend. They travel to the University of Puget Sound on Sunday, April 3 for a 1 p.m. start (PDT)