Willamette Battles NWC Leaders from Puget Sound, but Loggers Win, 1-0

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

TACOMA, Wash. -- Willamette University provided strong opposition against the undefeated Northwest Conference leaders from the University of Puget Sound in a women's soccer game on Saturday, Oct. 30. The Loggers managed to score a goal early in the second half to register a 1-0 win over the Bearcats at Baker Stadium.

The Loggers improved to 15-0-2 on the season, 11-0-2 in the NWC. Puget Sound is ranked #20 in the NCAA Division III National Poll released by the United Soccer Coaches. Willamette moved to 5-12-0 overall, 4-9-0 in the NWC.

Kylie Roath scored the game's only goal at 48:24 on a 25-yard shot from the left side of the field into the right corner of the goal. Kiana Serrao, who made a 10-yard pass from the middle of the field to Roath, received an assist on the play.

Neither team was able to create the goal during the remainder of the second half, but Puget Sound received a great chance to increase the lead when the Loggers were awarded a penalty kick at 60:23 after a foul in the Willamette penalty area. WU goalkeeper Jordan Roue saved the penalty shot that was taken by Ava Cholakian.

The Bearcats forced Puget Sound goalie Chaylea Tome to register for saves in the second half. The first save was on a shot by Jaime Haysman Boaler (Fy., D, Stanford, CA/Notre Dame HS) at 55:23. Later, Tome stopped a shot by Paige Murray (Sr., D, Olympia, WA/Capital HS) at 68:14. A shot from Emma Blackburn (Sr., F, Los Altos, CASaint Francis HS) at 78:31 also required Tome to react. The last save by Tome prevented Sophie Cleland (So., M, Eugene, OR/North Eugene HS) from scoring at 88:21.

Tome earned eight saves during the game to record the shutout. Roue finished with eight saves for the Bearcats.

Puget Sound outshot the Bearcats 25-10 overall but held a much smaller margin of 9-7 in shots on target. The Loggers also gained an 8-4 edge in corner kicks. Roath of Puget Sound led all players with seven shots, including two shots on goal. Cholakian added five shots -- two on target -- for the Loggers. Blackburn, Cleland, and Sydney Wilson (Sr., M, Olympia, WA/Capital HS) each took two shots for Willamette. Both of Blackburn's attempts were on goal.

Willamette will play at Pacific Lutheran University on Sunday, Oct. 31. Game time is scheduled for 12 p.m. (PDT).