Bearcats Defeat Puget Sound, 2-1, for First Win over Loggers Since 2011

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Senior Emmy Manset (F, Ventura, CA/Foothill Technology HS) and sophomore Shanna Keil (M, Danville, CA/San Ramon Valley HS) each scored a goal to lead Willamette University to a 2-1 victory over Northwest Conference rival University of Puget Sound on Saturday, Nov. 4 at Sparks Field. It was the Bearcats' first win over the Loggers since Oct. 23, 2011.

The Bearcats improved to 12-4-3 overall, including 9-4-2 in the Northwest Conference. Puget Sound slipped to 12-4-3, 10-3-2 in the NWC.

Manset's goal was her NWC-leading 12th goal of the season. It gave WU a 1-0 lead at 21:45. Manset shot from seven yards into the upper right corner of the net after receiving a pass from 18 yards out by Annie Strom (So., M, Mount Vernon, WA/Mount Vernon HS) .

The Loggers tied the game at 25:35 on a goal by Tayla MacPherson, who scored directly from a free kick. She took the kick from 356 yards out and placed it in the upper center of the goal.

WU surged back in front before halftime on Keil's goal at 37:34. Keil shot from seven yards. Her attempt was partially deflected by Puget Sound goalie Jamie Lange, but the ball still found the top right portion of the goal. Yume Matsuyama (So., Saitama, Japan/Bunkyo Gakuin Univ. Girls HS) earned an assist on the play.

"I continue to be so impressed with our team," Willamette Head Coach Hillary Arthur said. "From the daily effort each player contributes during practices to the game performances on the weekends, this group never quits. They are always pushing to improve, and we did that today. We haven't beaten Puget Sound since 2011 when we scored the game winning goal with 21 seconds left in regulation (Stephanie Skelly). Today I thought we excelled with our possession, movement off the ball, defensive effort and how we created in attack. Congratulations to our seniors today in the Senior Game. Our seniors have been, and continue to be, a vital aspect of our success this season ... and especially today."

At halftime, Willamette owned a 7-5 edge in total shots and a 4-2 margin in shots on goal. Lange made two saves during the half for the Loggers, but still gave up just her 10th and 11th goals of the season. Kristen Barclay (So., GK, Kenmore, WA/Cedar Park Christian School) registered one save in the first half for Willamette.

The second half featured seven shots by the Loggers and six shots by the Bearcats. Each team added three shots on target. Willamette finished with a slim 13-12 led in shots and a 7-5 advantage in shots on goal. Even the corner kicks were close, with Puget Sound earning five corners and Willamette gaining four corners. The Bearcats were whistled for seven of the 12 fouls called during the game.

Willamette's four seniors were honored prior to the game. The seniors are Manset, Marley Duncan (Sr., F, Pukalani, HI/Kamehameha School), Meagan Lau (Sr./Fr., M, Honolulu, HI/Punahou School), and Kelsey Walker (Sr., M, Westerville, OH/Westerville North HS).

The team also honored foreign exchange student Matsuyama, who will only be at Willamette for one season. Matsuyama has added greatly to the team, and currently has two goals and two assists in 19 games played (8 starts).

Manset has scored 22 goals and earned two assists during her four years with the Bearcats. She has scored 19 goals since the start of the 2016 season.

The Bearcats will close out its 2017 schedule with an NWC battle at George Fox University on Sunday, Nov. 5. Game time in Newberg, Oregon, is set for 12 p.m. (PST).