Willamette Pulls Away from Warner Pacific, 4-0, in Regular Season Opener

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Goals by four different Bearcats helped the Willamette University women's soccer team roll past Warner Pacific University, 4-0, at Sparks Field on Thursday, Sept. 1. Willamette, now 1-0, was playing its regular season opener. Warner Pacific fell to 1-1.

Willamette's goals were scored by Anika Firehammer (So., F, Minnetonka, MN/Hopkins HS/Albion College), Nina Krassner-Cybulski (So., F, Porter Ranch, CA/Agoura HS), Sophie Cleland (Jr., M, Eugene, OR/North Eugene HS), and Braeden Glaser (Jr., F, Battle Ground, WA/Prairie HS). The Bearcat led 1-0 at halftime and pulled away with three goals in the second half.

Despite scoring just one goal in the first 45 minutes, the Bearcats gradually took control and owned an 11-6 margin in total shots at halftime. Ten of Willamette's 11 shots were on target during the half, forcing WPU goalkeeper Katie Pomerinke to make eight saves. One shot was blocked near the goal line by a defender for the Knights.

Firehammer provided WU with the opening goal at 33:07 on a shot from six yards into the lower left corner of the goal. The play began with a cross from the right side and near the end line by Erin Denney (Fy., M, San Diego, CA/Point Loma HS).

Less than 10 minutes into the second half, Krassner-Cybulski added a goal at 54:44 to increase Willamette's lead to 2-0. She shot from 12 yards after receiving a pass from Aanya Friedeman (Sr., M, Camas, WA/Camas HS). The Bearcats upped their advantage to 3-0 when Cleland scored from 14 yards out at 60:05. Cleland secured a loose ball in the penalty area and shot into the upper right corner.

Glaser completed the scoring with a goal at 82:49. Her 14-yard shot hit the lower left portion of the net. Ivy Roman (Fy., D, Las Vegas, NV/Shadow Ridge HS) provided a pass from the right side to record an assist.

Willamette achieved an 18-7 edge in total shots and a 14-4 margin in shots on goal. Pomerinke finished with nine saves for the Knights. WU goalie Rachel Compton (So., GK, Lake Stevens, WA/Lake Stevens HS/Skagit Valley College) registered four saves, all in the first half.

Kassner-Cybulski took four shots for the Bearcats and placed three on target. Firehammer also created four shots, as she placed two shots on goal. A total of five Willamette players were credited with at least two shots. Maddie Goss of Warner Pacific paced the Knights with four shots, including three shots on goal.

The Bearcats will host nearby opponent Western Oregon University in an exhibition game on Sunday, Sept. 4. Game time at Sparks Field is Scheduled for 5 p.m. (PDT).