Bearcats Squeeze Past Pioneers for 1-0 NWC Win

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

PORTLAND, ORE. -- For the second game in a row, the Willamette University women's soccer team needed just one goal to capture victory. On Sunday, Oct. 18, it was sophomore Stephanie Skelly (MF, Poulsbo, WA/North Kitsap HS) who provided the game-winning goal against Lewis & Clark College. The Bearcats defeated the Pioneers, 1-0.

Skelly scored her sixth goal of the season with just 2 minutes and 19 seconds remaining in regulation. Her goal was unassisted. Skelly also had the only goal of the game on Oct. 17 against George Fox University. She has scored a goal in four consecutive games and in five of Willamette's last seven contests.

The Bearcats took just seven shots during the game, including only two shots on goal. WU's goalkeepers, Kelli Gano and Jill Schneeman combined to hold the Pioneers scoreless. Gano registered one save during her 45 minutes of play. Schneeman was the winning 'keeper for the Bearcats.

Gano and Schneeman have been a successful combination at goal so far for the Bearcats. The two 'keepers have combined for six shutouts and have only given up two or more goals on three occasions.

The Pioneers took eight shots during the match. Five of their attempts were shots of goal. Elise Delgado was the losing goalkeeper for Lewis & Clark.

Willamette is now 8-6-1 overall and 7-4-0 in the Northwest Conference. Lewis & Clark moves to 3-6-5 overall and 2-6-2 in the NWC.

The Bearcats will face the University of Puget Sound on Oct. 25 in Tacoma, Wash. Game time is set for 12 p.m. (PDT). Willamette was defeated by the Loggers, 3-0, earlier this season.