Richardson-Pepper and Kisielnicki Lead Bearcats in Loss at George Fox

Newberg, Ore. - Shea Richardson-Pepper and Claire Kisielnicki each scored three goals for Willamette, but the Bearcats fell on the road in a non-conference matchup against George Fox.  The loss dropped Willamette's record to 1-1 on the season, while the Bruins moved to 2-0.

George Fox scored the opening goals of the game to take a 2-0 lead just two minutes into the contest before Richardson-Pepper's first goal cut the lead in half.  The teams traded turnovers over the next four minutes before the Bruins scored two goals in thirty seconds to take a 4-1 lead midway through the first quarter.  A goal by Sydney Davis quickly made the score 4-2, but GFU went on to take a 7-3 lead at the end of the quarter.

The opening four minutes of the second quarter were without any scoring until the Bruins broke through to take an 8-3 lead.  The home team pushed their lead to 10-4 before another goal by Richardson-Pepper made the score 10-5.  For the quarter, GFU outscored Willamette 4-2 and took an 11-5 lead to the halftime break.

The Bruins opened the scoring for the third straight quarter with a goal less than a minute into the half, but consecutive goals by Kisielnicki made the score 12-7 with ten minutes left in the third.  The team traded goals in the final minutes and Willamette was not able to make up any ground in the quarter as the teams tied 3-3 and George Fox took a 14-8 lead as the game headed to the fourth quarter.  

A goal by Alex Warfel was the only offense the Bearcats could muster in the final quarter and the game ended 19-9 in favor of the Bruins.

The teams were even on draw controls with 14, but the Bruins were able to outshoot Willamette 35-20 (28-14 on goal) thanks to 29 Bearcat turnovers.  Lily Bachiochi, Sydney Davis, and Alex Warfel were the other goal-scorers for the Bearcats.  Warfel and Brielle Moore led Willamette in ground balls with four each, while Warfel, Richardson-Pepper, and Syd Shoemaker each had four draw controls.

Willamette returns home to Sparks Field for their next match when they face the University of Redlands on Monday, March 3rd, at 5:00 pm.