Walker and Duncan Provide Goals as Bearcats Defeat Whitman, 2-0

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

SALEM, Ore. -- Kelsey Walker (So., M/GK, Westerville, OH/Westerville North HS) scored late in the first half and Marley Duncan (So., F, Pukalani, HI/Kamehameha School) added a goal late in the second half, as Willamette University downed visiting Whitman College, 2-0, in a Northwest Conference women's soccer game on Saturday, Sept. 26 at Sparks Field. The Bearcats improved to 2-4-1 on the season and to 2-1-0 in the NWC. Whitman fell to 0-6-1 overall, 0-2-1 in the NWC.

McKenzie Andringa (Sr., M/D, Yakima, WA/La Salle HS) earned assists on both goals. Emily Sewall (Jr., GK, Petaluma, CA/Casa Grande HS) played all 90 minutes in goal for the Bearcats, and made two saves on the way to recording her third shutout of the season.

Walker put Willamette on the scoreboard at 40:34 with a header from four yards that went into the top middle of the goal. The play began with a corner kick from the left side by Andringa.

The score remained 1-0 until Duncan scored for the Bearcats at 87:16. She blasted a shot from 25 yards on the right side of the field (see photo above). The ball hit the inside of the left post and went into the net. Andringa received an assist for a pass to Duncan from the left side of the field.

Willamette outshot the Missionaries 16-5, including 9-2 in shots on goal. The Bearcats took eight shots in each half and forced Whitman goalie Haley Case into seven saves during the game. Whitman claimed a 3-1 edge in corner kicks, but Willamette's only corner led to the first goal.

Walker, Kate Matthews (Fr., M, Bainbridge, WA/Bainbridge HS) and Emmy Manset (So., F, Ventura, CA/Foothill Technology HS) each took three shots for the Bearcats. Five Whitman players finished with one shot apiece.

Perhaps Whitman's best chance at scoring was on a shot at 65:15 by Chelsea Day from 25 yards on the right side. Sewall leaped and recorded the save. As she was about to land, Sewall was fouled by Brianna Brown of Whitman. The attempt by Day was the Missionaries' final shot.

The Bearcats will play at home again on Sunday, Sept. 27 against Whitworth University. Game time is set for 12 p.m. (PDT).