Mattison Leads Bearcats in Season Finale against Bruins, but GFU Wins 3-0

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

NEWBERG, Ore. -- Clara Mattison (Sr., M, Burlington, WA/Burlington Edison HS), playing in her final game as a senior for the Willamette University women's soccer team, led the Bearcats against George Fox University on Sunday, Nov. 6, but two goals in the first 19 minutes helped the Bruins win 3-0 at the Austin Sports Complex. GFU advanced its record to 10-4-4 overall and to 8-4-4 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette ended the season with a 6-11-2 record, including 4-10-2 in the NWC.

Mattison paced the Bearcats with three total shots and two shots on goal versus the Bruins on Sunday. She played the full 90 minutes. Throughout the season, she has provided strong play all over the field by helping on defense, leading the transition through the midfield, and succeeding on the attack with individual play and quality passes to teammates.

George Fox took a 1-0 lead on a goal by Hannah Beardemphl just over 15 minutes into the game. She was assisted on the play by Willa Evans. Willamette goalie Rachel Compton (Sr., GK, Lake Stevens, WA/Lake Stevens HS/Skagit Valley College) earned a save by knocking down a lengthy shot from the right side by Evans, but the ball landed near the goal line and Beardemphl was there to score on a tap-in.

The Bruins doubled their advantage at 18:41 when Maggie Phillips scored her 13th goal of the season on a flick-header from six yards out just beyond the right post. The goal was scored at the end of a 28-yard free kick taken by Maggie Choate next to the right sideline.

At halftime, the Bruins continued to hold a 2-0 lead. George Fox outshot the Bearcats, 9-5, in the first half, with Compton earning four saves.

Sam Borngasser (So., GK, Grants Pass, OR/Grants Pass HS) played the second half in goal for Willamette and quickly earned a save when she stopped a shot by Phillips at 45:49. Mattison took a shot for Willamette at 48:02 that forced GFU goalie Zirce Valeriano to make a save. Valeriano also entered the game at halftime after starter Bella Salazar registered one save in the first half. Borngasser contributed three saves for the Bearcats.

The third goal for GFU was recorded by Taylor Ho at 59:19. Ho shot from a few yards outside the top of the 18-yard box after receiving a pass from Phillips, who was near the penalty spot. Ho's shot went into the upper left corner of the goal.

George Fox finished the game with a 15-7 margin in total shots and a 10-2 edge in shots on goal. Phillips led all players with seven shots, including four shots on target. The Bruins claimed a slim 3-2 advantage in corner kicks.