Bearcats move on to NWC Championship

NEWBERG, Ore. — Willamette University (8-9, 5-3) secured a narrow 7–6 victory over George Fox University (14-4, 8-0) on Friday at the Austin Sport Complex. The game was tightly contested, with the Bearcats scoring three goals in the final quarter to overcome a one-goal deficit. The defense was crucial, holding George Fox scoreless in the second and third quarters, while the offense capitalized on three player-up opportunities.

The first quarter commenced with Olivia Austin and Kat Ellett in goal for Willamette and George Fox, respectively. Willamette took an early lead at 13:17 when Claire Kisielnicki scored the opening goal. George Fox responded with a free position goal by Lana Davis at 10:44, leveling the score. Claire Abraham capitalized on a player-up opportunity to give George Fox a 2-1 lead at 7:28, assisted by Davis. Willamette's Brooklynn Pearl tied the game at 2-2 with a player-up goal at 2:15, assisted by Catie Mohr. However, George Fox regained the lead with a goal by Davis at 1:38, ending the quarter ahead 3-2.

Shelby Wilkinson's player-up goal at 12:04 gave Willamette a crucial lead in the second quarter, which ended with a score of 4-3 in favor of the Bearcats. The quarter was marked by strong defensive play, including a key turnover caused by Ella Lassahn and multiple saves by Austin, who thwarted George Fox's attempts, including a free position shot by Alli Stilp with just 16 seconds remaining. Syd Shoemaker played a pivotal role in maintaining possession for Willamette with several ground ball pickups. Despite multiple clear attempts and turnovers by both teams, neither side could capitalize further before the quarter concluded.

In the third quarter, Willamette gained momentum when Alex Warfel scored, marking the only goal of the quarter at 9:15, extending the team's lead. Lassahn was instrumental in regaining possession with multiple ground ball pickups. Despite several offensive attempts, including a shot by Kisielnicki, George Fox's goalkeeper, Ellett, made critical saves to keep her team within reach. The quarter concluded with George Fox unable to capitalize on its last-second shot attempt, leaving the score at 4-3 in favor of the Bearcats.

In the fourth quarter, Kisielnicki's performance was pivotal for Willamette, as she scored twice, including a goal assisted by Priya Mistry at 13:42, and another solo goal at 11:55, pushing Willamette's lead to 6-3. George Fox responded with a goal by Ava Bluhm, assisted by Davis, narrowing the gap to 6-4. Bluhm then scored again, followed by a player-up goal from Merrick Gibson, leveling the score at 6-6. Kisielnicki secured the final decisive goal of the game with a player-up free position shot at 2:41, leading to the Bearcats' 7-6 victory.