Bearcats Improve to 4-1-1 on the Season with a 3-1 Win at Whitman

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

WALLA WALL, Wash. -- Pressure from Willamette University's attack resulted in an own goal in the Whitman College net just 2:41 into the game, and the Bearcats later added two more goals to defeat the Blues, 3-1, in a Northwest Conference women's soccer game on Sunday, Sept. 17 at the Whitman Athletic Fields. The own goal occurred after a shot by Emmy Manset (Sr., F, Ventura, CA/Foothill Technology HS). Whitman goalie Bryanna Schreiber saved the shot, but the rebound went off a Blues defender and into the net.

Willamette advanced its record to 4-1-1 overall and to 1-1 in the NWC. Whitman fell to 1-5 overall, 1-1 in the NWC.

Lacey Jones (Fr., F, Portland, OR/David Douglas HS) gave WU a 2-0 lead later in the first half. The goal by Jones was scored at 30:58 and was unassisted. It was her second goal of the season. 

Whitman pulled within 2-1 on a penalty kick by Renee van Bergeijk at 40:43. It was the second penalty kick goal for van Bergeijk in as many days. She converted a penalty kick against Lewis & Clark College on Saturday in a 4-2 win for the Blues.

Shanna Keil (So., M, Danville, CA/San Ramon Valley HS) scored an insurance goal for the Bearcats at 69:23. Keil received a cross from Caroline Adams (Fr., M, Snohomish, WA/Archbishop Murphy HS) and scored on a volley shot. Adams was credited with an assist on the play.

"We did well today turning around from yesterday's game (a 2-1 loss at Whitworth University) with much better shape and organization both in and out of possession," Willamette Head Coach Hillary Arthur said. "Yesterday was a game of individual effort, but today we played as a team, moving, creating, combining and staying connected."

The Bearcats gained a 15-7 advantage in total shots. Willamette took 11 shots on goal and limited Whitman to just four shots on target. Manset and Yume Matsuyama (So., Saitama, Japan/Bunkyo Gakuin Univ. Girls HS) tied for the Willamette lead with three total shots and two shots on goal. Keil also provided two shots on goal. Eliza Van Wetter topped Whitman with two total shots.

"It's tough to travel as we have, and to not play at home," Manset said. "Today we played our best and controlled the things we could control."

Each team split goalkeepng duties between two players. For Willamette, Kristen Barclay (So., GK, Kenmore, WA/Cedar Park Christian School) started the game and earned one save, while Kahiau Freitas (Fr., GK, Kaneohe, HI/Kamehameha Schools Kapalama) played the final 45 minutes and made two saves. Schreiber registered three saves in the first half for Whitman, with Allie Seracuse adding four saves in the second half. One shot cleared by a Whitman defender.

"Yesterday we had a hard time playing as a team, but even with the quick turn-around, we were able to come together ... with possession and teamwork," Rachel Fischer (Jr., D, Anchorage, AK/East Anchorage HS) said.

Willamette will take on archrival Linfield College on Saturday, Sept. 23 in McMinnville, Oregon. Game time for the NWC match-up is set for 12 p.m. (PDT).