Bearcats Fall Just Short in 12-11 Battle with Lewis & Clark

PORTLAND, Ore. — Willamette (2-6, 0-0) narrowly fell to Lewis & Clark (5-4, 0-0) with a final score of 12-11 on Wednesday at Griswold Stadium. The Bearcats mounted a strong fourth-quarter rally, scoring five goals, but it was not enough to overcome the consistent scoring from Lewis & Clark, which included two player-up goals in the second quarter. Despite the loss, Willamette's offensive efforts included a standout performance with three goals in the third quarter.

The first quarter opened with Lewis & Clark securing the initial draw control, but a turnover caused by Alex Warfel soon shifted possession to the Bearcats. Despite several failed clear attempts by Willamette, Lewis & Clark's Kate Meinhard scored the first goal at 13:33. Willamette responded with a goal by Priya Mistry at 10:14, evening the score. Meinhard again found the net, assisted by Ala Cross, at 6:38, giving Lewis & Clark a brief lead before another goal by Mistry tied the game at 2-2. Sage Swegle's goal, assisted by Cross, at 2:17, put Lewis & Clark ahead, ending the quarter with a 3-2 lead over the Bearcats.

Alexandra Miller opened the scoring in the second quarter with a free position goal at 12:04, marking her fifth goal of the season for Willamette. However, Lewis & Clark responded decisively with a scoring surge. Kate Meinhard netted a player-up free position goal at 1:56, her 14th of the season, before Ala Cross added two more goals—one assisted by Aviana Gonzales—at 1:24 and 1:03. The quarter ended with Lewis & Clark leading 6-3, as they capitalized on player-up opportunities to shift momentum in its favor.

In a tightly contested third quarter, the Bearcats and Lewis & Clark each netted three goals. Alex Warfel opened the scoring for the Bearcats with a goal at 11:17, assisted by Priya Mistry. Finley Allen quickly responded for Lewis & Clark, scoring at 10:22 with help from Sage Swegle. Claire Kisielnicki added another for Willamette at 8:51, but Swegle answered again for Lewis & Clark just moments later at 8:37. Warfel struck once more for the Bearcats with a goal at 7:16, yet Swegle completed her scoring at 6:34, bringing Lewis & Clark's lead to 9-6 by the end of the quarter.

Willamette rallied in the fourth quarter, starting with Alex Warfel's free position goal at 13:13, narrowing the gap. Sage Swegle then responded for Lewis & Clark with a goal at 11:39, assisted by Ala Cross. The Bearcats' scoring continued as Claire Kisielnicki and Priya Mistry each found the net, putting them ahead 11-10. Alexandra Miller extended the lead with a goal at 8:16. However, Lewis & Clark's Mack Searle and Finley Allen struck late, with Allen's goal at 17 seconds remaining, tying the game at 12-12. The period concluded with a green card penalty on Warfel just before the final whistle.

Up next for the Bearcats is a home matchup against Pacific Lutheran. The game is set for Saturday, April 4 at 1 p.m. in Salem, Oregon.