Fifth-Ranked Loggers Defeat Bearcats, 5-0

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

SALEM, ORE. -- The fifth-ranked University of Puget Sound women's soccer team took a 1-0 lead in the first half before pulling away in the second half to defeat Willamette University, 5-0, on Saturday, Oct. 11 at Sparks Field. UPS improved to 9-1 overall, 7-0 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette dropped to 7-5 overall, 5-3 in the NWC.

The Bearcats saw their three-game winning streak come to an end. WU entered the contest after defeating Pacific University 1-0 on Oct. 4, Pacific Lutheran University 4-1 on Oct. 5, and Linfield College 2-1 on Oct. 8. Even with Saturday's loss, Willamette has won five of its last seven games.

UPS remained in first place in the NWC with 21 points. Willamette dropped into a tie for second with Whitman College (5-2) at 15 points, although Whitman has a game in hand.

Puget Sound held a slim 3-2 edge in shots in the first half, but owned the lead on a goal scored by Melissa Abellanida and assisted by Fiona Gornick at 33:56. Two quick goals for UPS early in the second half gave the Loggers control of the game.

Jenny Moore hit the net at 46:47 on a point blank shot in front of the goal. Janece Levien scored just under two minutes later at 48:42 on a shot from the right side that went into the left side of the goal. Mikaela Freeman earned an assist on the play.

Levien tallied her second goal of the game at 68:50 on an unassisted shot from 3-yards out. The final goal was recorded by Freeman with 59 seconds left on a 4-yard shot that went high into the net following a corner kick.

Puget Sound concluded the game with a 12-6 edge in total shots and a 7-4 margin in shots on goal. UPS starting goalkeeper Kallie Wolfer, who played the first 79 minutes, and reserve 'keeper Katie Wheeler, who completed the shutout, each finished with two saves. WU goalie Kelli Gano (So., Portland, OR/Cleveland HS) also earned two saves.

Alex Batzer (So., MF, Medford, OR/North Medford HS) of Willamette took four shots and placed three of them on goal. Levien launched four shots for GFU and was credited with three shots on goal.

UPS achieved a 9-1 advantage in corner kicks, including 5-0 in the second half. The Loggers were called for offside violations three times.

Willamette will play at Whitworth University on Saturday, Oct. 18. Game time in Spokane, Wash., is scheduled for 12 p.m. (PDT).