Krassner-Cybulski Scores Pair of Second Half Goals on Senior Day in Tough Loss

SALEM, Ore. – Nina Krasser-Cybulski scored her team-leading ninth and 10th goals of the season, but it wasn't enough as Willamette's women's soccer team could not pull out a victory on Senior Day falling 3-2 to the visiting Pirates of Whitworth University Saturday afternoon on Sparks Field.

Today's result moves Willamette to 6-6-5 overall and 5-5-3 in Northwest Conference play. Meanwhile, Whitworth improves to 10-4-2 overall and 8-3-2 in NWC contests.

Whitworth tallied the game's lone goal in the first half on a goal from Emma Ellerd in the 15th minute off an assist by Taliya Miyama, as the Pirates clung to a one-goal advantage at halftime.

In the second half, the visiting Pirates pushed their lead to two goals when Yacine Bitibale netted her seventh goal of the season in the 49th minute off an assist by Ellerd.

Just over 10 minutes later, Krassner-Cybulski brought Willamette within striking distance when she scored her ninth goal of the season off an assist by Natalie Rodriguez-De La Torre. De La Torre began the play with a nifty one-touch pass to Krassner-Cybulski, who spun around a defender before unleashing a left-footed shot along the ground that ended up in the right side of the net.

Three minutes later, Krassner-Cybulski netted the equalizer off an assist from Amanda McArthur in the 63rd minute. McArthur started the play with a short tap pass to Krassner-Cybulski, who rocketed a left-footed shot into the upper right corner of goal away from the out-stretched arms of Whitworth's goalkeeper.

Both teams would battle back and forth over the next 20 minutes, as Willamette seemed to control the flow of the action and possession. Unfortunately, the Bearcats could not capitalize and opened the door for a potential game-winner from Whitworth.

The eventual game-winner would come when Whitworth scored in the 83rd minute thanks to Rebekah Hines' first goal of the season as she unloaded a shot that sailed into the upper right corner of the goal following an pass out wide by Bitibale. Hines' shot was taken with her left foot from just outside of the penalty area, as she directed the ball up and over the out-stretched arms of Willamette's net-minder to put the visiting Pirates ahead by a single goal, 3-2, with less than seven minutes remaining in the game.

Any last-ditch effort by Willamette over the final six-plus minutes of the contest came up short, as the Bearcats could not net the equalizer.

Overall, Willamette outshot Whitworth, 21-12, but did not win the battle in shots on goal as the visiting Pirates put seven shots on target versus only four for the Bearcats.

Sam Borngasser tallied a game-high four saves for Willamette in between the pipes, while Paige Broadrick tallied a pair of saves in goal for Whitworth.

Willamette will play again on Sunday, November 3rd, against the visiting Blues of Whitman College beginning at 1:45 PM on Sparks Field.  The Bearcats' final home match will be Wednesday, November 6th, when the host Pacific University at 7:45 pm.