Denney Scores Winning Goal at 84:33 to Send Bearcats over Loggers, 3-2

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

TACOMA, Wash. -- Erin Denney (So., M, San Diego, CA/Point Loma HS) scored the go-ahead goal for Willamette University at 84:33, as the Bearcats rallied twice to defeat the University of Puget Sound, 3-2, in a Northwest Conference women's soccer game on Saturday, Oct. 21 at East Field. The Bearcats trailed 1-0 and 2-1, but Ella McComas (Fy., F, Seattle, WA/Cleveland HS) and Claire Warthen (Fy., M, Bremerton, WA/Bremerton HS) each provided a goal to tie the score for Willamette.

The first two goals by the Bearcats allowed Denney to supply the winning score. McComas contributed the first Willamette goal at 35:55 for a 1-1 tie. Warthen hit the net with a shot at 52:44 to tie the score at 2-2. Warthen's goal was just 4:29 after Puget Sound took a 2-1 advantage on a goal by Kya Scott.

Willamette improved to 2-9-4 overall and to 2-6-3 in the NWC. The Bearcats continued their strong play and are 2-1-2 in their last five games. Puget Sound slipped to 8-5-2 on the season, 6-3-2 in the NWC.

"After a rough start, the group bounced back with a solid performance," Willamette Head Soccer Coach Lisa Ljubicic said. "I am really proud of the persistent composure and grit that the team showed today. It was a big win for us and several players contributed to an outstanding defensive game along with some beautiful goals."

Puget Sound took a 1-0 lead on a goal from Zoe Fowler at 11:53. Zoe Witter registered an assist on the play. Fowler shot from 26 yards toward the left side of the goal.

McComas tied the score for Willamette at the 35:55 mark. The play began with a free kick by Braeden Glaser (Jr., F, Battle Ground, WA/Prairie HS) from the edge of the center circle. The ball was soon passed back to Glaser, who sent in a lengthy pass that fell to McComas. The goal was scored on an 8-yard shot from just outside the right edge of the six-yard box. McComas loooped the ball over the goalie and into the upper left corner.

The Loggers regained the lead on Scott's goal 3:15 in to the second half. She shot from about eight yards, sending the ball inside the right post. Soon the score was tied again at 2-2, following the goal by Warthen on another shot from just outside the six-yard box. She scored near the center of the net with her shot staying close to the ground.

Denney's shot for the winning goal was taken from the far left side of the penalty area. She kicked with her right foot, sending the ball into the lower right corner. The play began with a pass by Warthen from just inside the midfield stripe. Denney received the pass and worked her way around a defender before shooting.

Goalkeeper Sabella Pisicoli (Fy., Hacienda Heights, CA/La Serna HS) earned six saves for Willamette. Gianna Maldonado recorded three saves for the Loggers. PS outshot the Bearcats 20-14 overall, including a slim 8-6 edge in shots on goal. Both teams accumulated four corner kicks.

The Bearcats will play at George Fox University on Sunday, Oct. 22. Game time in Newberg, Oregon, is scheduled for 12 p.m. PDT.