Pacific Lutheran Slips Past Bearcats, 1-0

By Timothy Walsh, Athletics Communications Writer

PARKLAND, WASH. -- Willamette University placed more shots on goal than Pacific Lutheran University, but the Lutes made one of their only chances count, defeating the Bearcats 1-0 in a Northwest Conference women's soccer match on Friday, Nov. 8.

PLU upped its record to 10-4-5 overall, 8-2-5 in the NWC.The Bearcats fell to 4-12-3 on the season, 2-10-3 in the NWC.

Willamette's Sarah Desautels (Jr., MF/F, Snohomish, WA/Glacier Peak HS) led all players with five total shots, including three shots on goal, but the Lutes' Alex Murrayscored the game's only goal at 73:46.

Working from the left side of the field, PLU's AJ Fischer sent a pass in to Murray, who was approximately 15 yards from goal. After receiving the pass, Murray fired a shot past WU goalkeeper Emily Sewall (Fr., GK, Petaluma, CA/Casa Grande HS) and into the upper right corner of the net.

The score was 0-0 for much of the game, with chances few and far between. The Lutes' Blake Warner had arguably the best chance of the first half just 7:19 into the game, when her shot rattled off the crossbar. Kaylie Rozell corralled the rebound for PLU and placed another shot on frame, but Sewall made the save.

Desautels forced Lutes goalkeeper Marisa Gonzalez into a save in the 43rd minute, and the score remained tied at halftime.

Willamette opened the second half in aggressive fashion. Desautels had a shot blocked at 64:39, and in the following three minutes, both Desautels and Malia Simpson (Jr., MF, Fairbanks, AK/West Valley HS) drew saves from backup keeper Takara Mitsui.

After the Lutes scored, the Bearcats pressed for an equalizer, with Desautels and Rachel Fleener(So., F, Olympia, WA/Olympia HS) each placing a shot on frame, only to see Mitsui make the save.

Despite earning the same number of shots as PLU (nine), the Bearcats placed two more shots on target than the Lutes (5-3). PLU gained a 5-2 edge on corner kicks, and Willamette committed eight fouls to Pacific Lutheran's five.

The Bearcats will conclude their 2013 season on Saturday, Nov. 9 against Pacific University in Forest Grove, Ore. Game time is set for 11 a.m. (PST).