Willamette Edges Past Whitman 13-12 on Goal by Klenk with 3:30 Left

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University scored the game's final two goals to defeat Whitman College 13-12 in a Northwest Conference women's lacrosse game on Sunday, April 16 at Sparks Field. Lily Bachiochi (So., ATT, Henderson, NV/Coronado HS) tied the score at 12-12 on a goal with 10:34 left. Tati Klenk (Sr., ATT, Truckee, CA/Tahoe Truckee HS) provided the game-winner when she scored a goal with 3:30 remaining. It was Klenk's fifth goal of the game and her 31st goal in WU's last five contests.

The Bearcats and the Blues finished the regular season tied for second place in the NWC at 9-3. The teams will play each other again in the first round of the 2023 NWC Women's Lacrosse Tournament on Saturday, April 22 in Newberg, Oregon. George Fox University won the regular season title at 12-0 and will host the tournament. The Bruins will take on Whitworth University, 4-8 in the NWC, in the other semifinal game. Times for the semifinal games and the championship game on Sunday, April 23 have not yet been determined.

Willamette, which lost to Whitman 19-9 in Walla Walla, Washington, on March 12, avenged the loss and improved to 12-4 overall with Sunday's victory. Whitman fell to 12-5.

The Blues led 6-2 in the first quarter and were in front by an 11-8 margin with 5:57 left in the third quarter, but Willamette ended the game with a 5-1 run. Klenk started the rally with three consecutive goals in the third quarter. She scored at 5:27, 4:23, and with 56 seconds on the clock to tie the game at 11-11. Whitman regained the lead at 12-11 on a goal by Madeleine Sherry with 12:47 left in the fourth quarter.

After WU moved in front 13-12, the Bearcats held Whitman without a shot while forcing two turnovers by the Blues. At about the 50-second mark, Willamette goalkeeper Shelby Sawyer (Sr., GK, Marysville, WA/Bio Med Academy) intercepted a pass by the Blues from behind the goal and the Bearcats maintained possession until the game ended.

Sawyer broke her own Willamette record by earning 19 saves during the game. The previous record of 18 saves was set by Sawyer at Occidental College on March 23, 2022.

It was Senior Day for the Bearcats who honored six seniors prior to the game. Willamette's seniors are Klenk, Sawyer, Maddie Garcia (Sr., MID, Encinitas, CA/San Dieguito Academy), Jade Kampen (Sr., DEF, Eugene, OR/South Eugene HS), Kiana Gottschalk (Sr., DEF, Bend, OR/Bend HS), and Catie Kawamura (Sr., ATT, San Diego, CA/San Diego International Studies).

Klenk topped Willamette with five goals and one assist for six points. Bachiochi, Kawamura, and Shea Richardson-Pepper (So., DEF/MID, San Diego, CA/Scripps Ranch HS) each tallied two goals for the Bearcats. Garcia and Claire Kisielnicki (Fy., ATT, Manitou Springs, CO/Manitou Springs HS) both scored one goal. Sherry of Whitman matched Klenk with five goals and one assist. Gracie Maulik added three goals for the Blues.

Sherry scored three of her goals as Whitman built its early 6-2 lead. WU outscored the Blues 4-2 in the second quarter with two goals by Kawamura and one each from Garcia and Richardson-Pepper to pull within 8-6 at halftime. The Bearcats earned seven goals in the second half while holding Whitman to four goals.

The Blues ended the game with a 38-31 advantage in shots and a 17-12 lead in draw controls. The Bearcats gained a 24-22 margin in ground balls and converted an impressive 21 of 23 clears. Whitman was 16 for 22 while clearing the ball. Brooklynn Pearl (Fy., MID, Eugene, OR/Willamette HS) led WU with five ground balls, while Richardson-Pepper won seven draw controls. Gottschalk caused three turnovers by the Blues.

Maulik led Whitman with 13 draw controls and tied with Erin Magnuson for the team lead with six ground balls. Magnuson was credited with three caused turnovers.

Willamette gained an edge in free position success. The Bearcats scored goals on 4 of 7 free position shots, while the Blues went 1 for 8. Three of Willamette's free position goals were scored by Klenk.