Willamette Battles #2-Ranked Puget Sound

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

SALEM, ORE. -- The Willamette University women's soccer team battled the University of Puget Sound on Saturday, Sept. 19. The Bearcats eventually fell 0-3 against the visiting Puget Sound Loggers. The Loggers are currently ranked #2 in the nation.

University of Puget Sounds Mikaela Freeman scored the first goal of the game 18:25 into the first half. Janece Levien scored Puget Sounds second goal of the game with 14:43 remaining in the first half. It was the fifth goal of the season for Levien, who is the two-time Northwest Conference Most Valuable Offensive Player.

The first half ended with Willamette trailing 0-2. The Bearcats attempted two shots in the first half. Willamettes best opportunity to score was a header early in the half by Alex Batzer (Jr., F, Medford, OR/North Medford HS) which was saved by Puget Sounds keeper.

The Bearcats held the Loggers scoreless through most of the second half. With 11:53 left in the game, Jenny Moore scored the third and final goal for the Loggers. Even though the Bearcats did not score in the second half, they controlled the ball well and limited the Loggers to just four shots.

Kelli Gano (Jr., GK, Portland, OR/Cleveland HS) and Jill Schneeman (So., GK, Burien, Wash./Mount Rainier HS) combined to face 14 shots by the Loggers. Gano and Schneeman each had one save.

Willamette moved to 2-3-1 overall and 1-1-0 in conference. Puget Sound climbed to 4-0-0 and 1-0-0 in the conference. The Bearcats are back in action on Saturday, Sept. 26 against Lewis & Clark College. The game is set to begin at 12 p.m. (PDT) at Sparks Field.