Arnold Converts Penalty Kick in First Half to Send Bearcats over Beacons, 1-0

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Jenae Arnold (Jr., M, Poulsbo, WA/North Kitsap HS) of Willamette University connected on a penalty kick at the 28:18 mark, and WU goalkeepers Kristen Barclay (Jr., GK, Kenmore, WA/Cedar Park Christian School) and Grasiela Quevedo-Ramos (So., GK, Salem, OR/West Salem HS) combined for a shutout, as the Bearcats defeated Northwest Christian University at Sparks Field on Sunday, Sept. 2. Willamette improved to 2-0 on the season, while the Beacons slipped to 0-2.

The Bearcats registered their second shut out in three days. Willamette opened the regular season with a 4-0 win over Fontbonne University (Mo.) at Sparks Field on Friday (Aug. 31).

Willamette took three of the first four shots, ending with an attempt from Fionn Fortune (Jr., M/F, Alexandria, VA/St. Stephen's & St. Agnes/Hamilton Coll.) that was saved by NCU goalie Katie Hastings 16 minutes into the game. Neither team registered a shot over the next 12 minutes.

Then Annie Strom (Jr., D, Mount Vernon, WA/Mount Vernon HS) of Willamette was tripped by a Northwest Christian player inside the penalty area. Arnold took advantage of the resulting penalty kick, as she shot the ball into the lower left corner of the goal.

At halftime, the Bearcats owned a 6-1 edge in total shots and a 3-0 margin in shots on goal. The Beacons grabbed more possession in the second half, but Willamette still gained an 8-4 advantage in total shots over the final 45 minutes. Willamette's best chance to double the score in the second half occurred at 70:33, when a shot by Shanna Keil (Jr., F, Danville, CA/San Ramon Valley HS) hit the crossbar.

NCU's top chance of the game was with 1:36 left, when Hannah Best ran onto a lengthy pass on a counter-attack. Two defenders were right next to Best as she dashed toward the goal. Best maintained control and took a shot just inside the penalty area, but Quevado-Ramos, who played the final 45 minutes for Willamette, registered a save.

For the game, Willamette outshot NCU, 14-5 overall, including 4-2 in shots on goal. The Bearcats earned a 6-0 margin in corner kicks, including for in the second half. Keil, who scored directly from a corner kick against Fontbonne, just missed sending the ball into the net again when she took one of WU's corner kicks during the second half.

Gena Main (Jr., F, San Francisco, CA/Gateway HS/Bryn Mawr College) led Willamette with four total shots. Libby Gregory was credited with two shots for Northwest Christian. Barclay did not have to make a save for Willmette in the first half, while Quevedo-Ramos finished with two saves. Hastings recorded three saves for the Beacons.

Willmette will return to action on Thursday, Sept. 6 when the Bearcats are scheduled to host Warner Pacific University. Game time is slated for 6 p.m.