Bearcats Capture Victory Over Visiting Boxers

By Sara Brooks, Assistant Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6219

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University needed two goals to defeat visiting Pacific University in a Northwest Conference game on Saturday, Oct. 10. Willamette improved to 5-5-1 overall and 4-3-0 in the NWC. Pacific dropped to 4-5-2 overall and 3-3-1 in the NWC.

Willamette scored first on an unassisted goal from freshman Ariel Wilson (MF, Fort Collins, COPoudre High School) at 15:50. After the Pacific goalkeeper bobbled the ball, Wilson was able to tap it into the net from five yards out. Wilsons goal was the only goal for either team in the first half. It was her third goal of the season.

In the second half, it was Alex Batzer (Jr., F, Medford, OR/North Medford HS) who found the back of the net for the Bearcats. Batzer scored on a header off of a corner kick by Haley Rosenthal (Sr., MF, Cheyenne, WY/Cheyenne East HS). Batzers second goal of the season was recorded with just over five minutes to play.

Pacific scored with just 17 seconds remaining on the clock to prevent the shutout. Jenna Matsumoto tallied her second goal of the season on a breakaway. She was assisted by Lauren Kanda.

For the game, Willamette recorded 14 shots and five shots on goal. Pacific had 10 shots with 7 shots on goal. Each team recorded five corner kicks.

Jill Schneeman (So., GK, Burien, WA/Mount Rainier HS) was the winning 'keeper for the Bearcats. She had three saves in the second half and gave up one goal. Junior Kelli Gano (GK, Portland, OR/Grant HS) played the first half in goal for the Bearcats and recorded two saves. The losing 'keeper for Pacific was Brittany Hartmann.

Willamette will travel to Pacific Lutheran University on Sunday, Oct. 11. Game time is set for 12 p.m. (PDT).