Bachiochi Sets Willamette Goal Record With Ten in Comeback Win at Whitworth

Spokane, Wash. - Lily Bachiochi scored ten goals to set the school record and help Willamette battle back in the second half to defeat Whitworth 17-12.  The Bearcats trailed by as many as four goals early in the game and were down by one heading to the final quarter, but Willamette outscored the Pirates 7-1 in the final period to earn the victory.

Whitworth got off to a strong start and scored the opening four goals of the game to take a 4-0 lead after just five minutes of play.  Claire Kisielnicki opened the scoring for Willamette by converting on a free-position shot a few minutes later, but the Pirates quickly responded to make it 5-1.  Bachiochi scored her first goal of the game to make the score 5-2, and after the teams exchanged goals, the Pirates held a 7-4 lead after one quarter.

It was Willamette's turn for a hot start in the second quarter as the Bearcats scored the first four goals, three by Bachiochi and one by Kisielnicki, to take an 8-7 lead.  Whitworth finally got on the board to tie the game and scored the final goal of the quarter to take a 9-8 lead at the break.

The team each scored two goals in the third quarter, with the Pirates scoring two first to pull ahead 11-8, and Bachiochi scored two more to cut the lead to 11-10.  Kisielnicki scored the opening two goals of the fourth quarter to put the Bearcats ahead 12-11, and Bachiochi scored the next two to give Willamette six straight goals and a 14-11 lead.  After a Whitworth goal stopped the streak, Alex Warfel scored for Willamette and Bachiochi scored the goals that tied and broke the school record to make the final score 17-12.

Claire Kisielnicki scored five goals for the Bearcats, with Sydney Davis and Alex Warfel each adding one.  Jay Shiftlett and Warfel led the team by picking up three ground balls, with six other Bearcats each with two.  Shiflett and Shea Richardson-Pepper each caused four turnovers for the team lead.  Olivia Austin played the whole game in goal for the Bearcats and made six saves.

The Bearcats continue their Washington trip on Saturday, April 19th, when they play at Whitman College starting at 1:00 pm.  Willamette is on the road again at Pacific on Wednesday and comes home for senior day on Sunday, April 27th, to host Linfield University.