Fleener Scores 50 Seconds into Overtime, as Bearcats Edge Boxers, 1-0

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

FOREST GROVE, ORE. -- Willamette University forward Rachel Fleener (So., Olympia, WA/Olympia HS) scored on a 30-yard shot just 50 seconds into the first overtime period to send the Bearcats to a 1-0 victory over Pacific University on Saturday, Nov. 9 at Lincoln Park Stadium.

Pacific outshot the Bearcats 18-8 in total shots and 8-3 in shots on goal, but WU goalkeeper Nicole Price (Sr., GK, Auburn, WA/Thomas Jefferson HS) earned eight saves to record the shutout win.

The game completed Willamette's season at 5-12-3 overall, 3-10-3 in the Northwest Conference. Pacific dropped to 9-8-3 overall, 6-8-2 in the NWC.

Most of Pacific's advantage in shots was achieved during a scoreless first half, as the Boxers took 12 shots, while Willamette achieved just four shots.

Pacific had several changes to score in the final 20 minutes of the opening half. Breezy Brookbank hit the crossbar with a shot at 26:12. Price earned a save on a shot by Holly Chang-Northway at 28:34 and kept out a header by Deanna Quadrel at 30:41.

Price also provided WU with saves at 35:50 on Emily Tuffey and at 43:27 against Kara Lankey, before Lankey hit the crossbar as the first half expired. During the half, Price achieved four saves.

Kayla Davidson, the Pacific goalkeeper, made one save in the first half, as she stopped an attempt by Sarah Desautels (Jr., MF/F, Snohomish, WA/Glacier Park HS) at 32:39.

In the second half, Pacific attained a 6-3 edge in shots. Price added four more saves, while Davidson was credited with one additional save. Fleener's game-winning strike was the only shot in overtime.

For the game, the Boxers were credited with nine corner kicks, including seven in the second half. Willamette finished with four corner kicks.

Willamette was called for 15 fouls, while Pacific committed four fouls. The Bearcats received two yellow cards late in regulation on Desautels at and McKenzie Andringa (So., D, Yakima, WA/La Salle HS). Davidson was the only Pacific player to be cautioned, as she was given the game's first yellow card at 80:25.

Fleener finished the season with four goals, tied with Desautels for the Willamette team lead.

After starting the season 2-9-0, the Bearcats completed their schedule with a 3-3-3 mark over the final nine games. The Bearcats earned six shutouts (3-0-3 record) and allowed more than one goal just once during the nine games. Two of the three losses during that stretch were by 1-0 scores. For the year, Willamette was 4-8 in one-goal games.