Skelly Scores Twice in Final Six Minutes, as Bearcats Rally Over Whitman, 2-1

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

WALLA WALLA, WASH. -- Senior midfielder Stephanie Skelly (Poulsbo, WA/North Kitsap HS) entered Willamette University's game on Saturday, Oct. 8 as the Bearcats' leading scorer with six goals on the season. In Saturday's game against Whitman College, she continued to lead the offense, tallying two goals in the final 5:12 as Willamette rallied for a 2-1 win.

The Northwest Conference victory improved the Bearcats to 6-4-1 on the season, including 5-1-1 in the NWC. Willamette remained in second place in the conference with 16 points (3 for each win, 1 for each tie), just two points behind the University of Puget Sound (6-1-0, 18 points).

Whitman outshot Willamette for the game, 22-10, and held a 1-0 advantage after scoring just 13:43 after the opening kickoff. Even so, the Bearcats kept the Missionaries off the scoreboard the rest of the way, and Skelly provided the tying and game-winning goals.

Amy Hasson of Whitman gave the Missionaries their early lead on a header from 6-yards out to complete a corner kick. Jaclyn Rudd took the corner and registered assist on the play.

Although the Missionaries earned a huge margin in total shots, their edge in shots on goal was 8-4.

Skelly took five shots for the Bearcats and provided three of Willamette's four shots on goal. She attained success at 84:48 when she took a through pass from Malia Simpson (Fr., MF, Fairbanks, AK/West Valley HS), dribbled around Whitman goalie Emily Davis and shot into the net.

Whitman threatened to regain the lead just 30 seconds later, when Hasson took a shot that was saved by WU goalkeeper Nicole Price (So., Auburn, WA/Thomas Jefferson HS) at 85:18.

Just under two minutes later, at the 87:11 mark, Skelly stole the ball from a central defender and scored into the far corner of the goal.

The Missionaries received a corner kick 30 seconds later and took a shot at 87:54, but Kate Potter's attempt went wide.

Price contributed six saves to Willamette's defensive efforts. Davis earned one save for Whitman, while a Missionary defender cleared one shot away from the goal.

Hasson topped all players with six total shots. She placed three shots on goal. Rudd added five shots -- two on goal -- for the Missionaries. In addition to Skelly's five shots, the Bearcats also created three shots for Sarah DeSautels (Fr., F, Snohomish, WA/Glacier Park HS).

Willamette will complete its two-game weekend road trip on Sunday, Oct. 9 against Whitworth University in Spokane, Wash. Game time is scheduled for 12 p.m. (PDT).