Cooper Ties Game Late in 1st Half, but Whitworth Wins 3-1

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SPOKANE, Wash. -- Emmerson Cooper (Fy., M/F, Boise, ID/Boise HS) scored at 39:40 to pull Willamette University into a 1-1 tie at Whitworth University, but the Pirates tallied two goals in the second half to defeat the Bearcats 3-1 on Sunday, Sept. 26 at the Whitworth Soccer Field. The Pirates advanced their record to 5-2-1 on the season and to 2-1-1 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette dropped to 3-5-0 overall, 2-2 in the NWC.

The Bearcats gained a split of their weekend trip to eastern Washington. On Saturday, Willamette rallied from a 1-0 deficit to move past Whitman College, 2-1, in Walla Walla. Ella Abraham (Fy., F, Lexington, KY/Lafayette HS) earned both of Willamette's goals in the victory over the Blues.

On Sunday, Whitworth claimed a 1-0 advantage on a goal by Kalena Pfaeltzer just 3:57 into the match. Gabriella Coprivnicar moved through the defense and send a drop-pass to Pfaeltzer to set up the shot. Cooper's goal tied the score at 1-1 when she successfully shot from outside the penalty area. Cooper's shot hit the upper corner of the net.

The teams remained tied at halftime. Both teams took six shots in the first 45 minutes, although Willamette owned a 5-2 edge in shots on goal. Whitworth goalie Kate Nelson made all four of her saves in the first half.

Whitworth moved in front 2-1 at 65:04 on a goal by Kaitlin Speer. She scored from outside the 18-yard box following a pass from Riley Martinson. The Pirates added their third goal at 78:18. Kendall Sharp put the ball into the net on a header from the middle of the penalty area after a corner kick was taken by Macey Morales.

After Sharp's goal gave Whitworth a 3-1 margin, the Pirates tried to extend the lead on a shot by Morales at 81:40, but Willamette goalkeeper Sam Borngasser (Fy., GK, Grants Pass, OR/Grants Pass HS) registered a save on the play. Emma Blackburn (Sr., F, Los Altos, CA/Saint Francis HS) took two shots for the Bearcats in the final six minutes, but one shot went wide at 84:20 and the other was high at 88:34.

The Pirates gained a 15-10 edge in total shots and held an 11-5 advantage in shots on goal. Borngasser finished with eight saves for Willamette. Blackburn led the Bearcats with a total of five shots, while Sharp took four shots for the Pirates.

Willamette will host the University of Puget Sound in NWC action on Saturday, Oct. 2. Game time at Sparks Field in Salem, Oregon, is set for 12 p.m. (PDT).