Bearcats Earn 22 Shots against Lewis & Clark in 0-0 Tie with Pioneers

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

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette outshot Lewis & Clark, 22-6 overall and 13-2 in shots on goal, but L&C goalkeeper Elise Delgado made 11 saves to keep WU off the scoreboard, as the teams battled to a 0-0 tie in two overtimes on Saturday, Sept. 24 at Sparks Field.

Stephanie Skelly (Sr., MF, Poulsbo, WA/North Kitsap HS) led Willamette with seven shots, including four shots on goal. Emilia Emmett took two shots overall and one shot on goal for Lewis & Clark.

Willamette is now 2-4-1 overall, 1-1-1 in the Northwest Conference. Lewis & Clark moved to 1-4-2 on the season, 0-2-1 in the NWC.

Delgado earned the shutout for the Pioneers. Gina Barbieri (Fr., GK, Medford, OR/St. Mary's School) recorded the shutout for Willamette. Barbieri stopped several good crosses from L&C and also achieved one save.

WU took enough quality shots that it seemed at least one would find the back of the net. Just over 10 minutes into the game Ariel Wilson (Jr., MF, Fort Collins, CO/Poudre HS) had a shot saved by Delgado and 10 seconds later Skelly put a follow shot over the goal. During a 1:36 span late in the half, the Bearcats received three shots from Skelly -- a header that went wide left and two shots that were saved by Delgado.

Another flurry by the Bearcats occurred in the second half at the 68-minute mark.

Sabine Wetzel (So., MF, Martinez, CA/Campolindo HS) took a shot from 20 yards out that hit the crossbar. Following the rebound, Andrea Rowan (Jr., MF, Boise, ID/Timberline HS) took a shot from 10 yards that was cleared to the left of the goal by a defender. Stephanie Kruger (So., MF, West Linn, OR/West Linn HS) claimed the loose ball and took a shot that was saved by Delgado.

Despite taking just six shots, Lewis & Clark also had a couple of good chances to score.

Austyn Byassee sent a shot into the crossbar 24:43 into the match. Early in the second half, at 50:48, Emmett took a 25-yard shot from the right side that Barbieri deflected in front of the near post. The ball hit the post and went over the end line for a corner kick.

At 71:59 a shot by Sarah Breninger of L&C was cleared out of the six-yard box by a Willamette defender.

During the overtime periods, Willamette earned three shots and L&C took two. Paige Lancourt (So., D/MF, Eagle, ID/Eagle HS) of WU had the only shot in extra time that required a save. Her shot was on target at 90:50, but Delgado registered a save.

The Bearcats will play at Linfield College on Sunday, Sept. 25 in another NWC contest. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. (PDT) in McMinnville, Ore.