Overtime Goal Sends Redlands Past Willamette, 1-0

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SANTA CRUZ, CALIF. -- Willamette University and the University of Redlands played a scoreless women's soccer match for 90 minutes on Sunday, Sept. 14 at UC-Santa Cruz, but the Bulldogs scored on a breakaway just 1:30 into overtime to defeat the Bearcats, 1-0. Kelsey Kimmel tallied the game's only goal just over a minute after Willamette took the first shot on goal of overtime.

After neither team was able to score during regulation, both teams had a chance to score early in the overtime period. Willamette's opportunity was just 23 seconds into the extra session, when Rachel Janny (Jr., F, Olympia, WA/Olympia HS) took a shot that required a save from Redlands goalie Tenley Rawlings. The chance for UR occurred 1:07 later, as Kimmel grabbed an errant back-pass by the Bearcats and scored on the breakaway to give the Bulldogs the win.

Redlands upped its record to 3-1-1. Tenley Rawlings earned two saves for the Bulldogs to record the shutout. Willamette, which received four saves from Kelli Gano (So., GK, Portland, OR/Cleveland HS), fell to 1-2 on the season.

The first quality chance for a goal took place early in the first half. Willamette made a solid attack into the UR penalty area, but couldn't secure a goal.

"We beat everybody on the play," WU Head Coach Hillary Arthur said. "But miss-hit it and then it went off the post. Then we couldn't put it into the net on the rebound."

Despite the loss, Arthur was pleased with Willamette's effort and intensity.

"We created numerous scoring opportunities and just couldn't convert any of them," she said. "We really controlled the other team. The good thing is that we're improving every game. At the rate our improvement is going, it's very encouraging."

The Bearcats earned five corner kicks, while Redlands finished with three. UR was whistled for 14 fouls and Willamette was called for eight infractions.

Redlands outshot Willamette 12-9 overall and 5-2 in shots on goal. Lauren Miller (Sr., F, Portland, OR/Grant HS/Northwestern State, La.) led WU with four shots, including one shot on goal late in the first half.

"Lauren Miller and Rachel Janny had great shots," Arthur said. "We were just unlucky."

Willamette will play again on Monday, Sept. 15, when the 'Cats take on the Banana Slugs from the University of California-Santa Cruz. Game time in Santa Cruz, Calif., is slated for 12 p.m. (PDT).