Whitman's Ali Scores 5 Goals, Earns 5 Assists, as Blues Down Bearcats

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

WALLA WALLA, Wash. -- Sage Ali led Whitman College with five goals and five assists, as the Blues defeated visiting Willamette University, 20-2, on Sunday, April 7 at the Whitman Athletic Fields. Whitman advanced its overall record to 5-3, while moving to 3-1 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette ended the day with a 4-7 record, 2-4 in the NWC.

Ali scored the game's first goal on an assist from Nina Moore just over a minute after the opening draw control at 28:58. The Bearcats answered with goals by Bridget Blaney (Jr., DEF, Buffalo, WY/Buffalo HS) at 26:56 on a free position shot and by  Victoria Glidden (Fr., MID/DEF, Dover, NH/Phillips Exeter Academy) just 37 seconds later at 26:19 to take a 2-1 lead.

Blaney scored for the second consecutive game and now has two goals on the season. Glidden has scored six goals this year.

Whitman shut out the Bearcats the rest of the game. The Blues ended the first half with eight unanswered goals to take a 10-2 margin into the intermission. Sage was the top scorer in the first half with three goals and three assists. Moore and Isabel Regonini each scored two goals for Whitman in the first half, while Anna Kilo, Hannah Miller and Katie Hinnen each tallied one goal.

Two goals early in the second half allowed Whitman to maintain its momentum. Hinnen scored at 28:30 after receiving the ball from Ellie Teare. Ali earned a goal 18 seconds on a pass from Kilo to increased the Blues' advantage to 12-2.

Ali's 10 points led all scorers. Kilo scored two goals and picked up four assists for six points. Moore and Regonini each finished with three goals. Regonini added two assists for five total points.

Willamette goalkeeper Kara Phillips (Sr., GK, Kirkland, WA/Lake Washington HS) earned 10 saves for the Bearcats. She has achieved 10 or more saves six times this season, including a school record 16 saves against Linfield College on March 31. She is averaging 8.7 saves per game.

The Blues earned 42 shots and placed 30 shots on target. Whitman held Willamette to six shots, including five shots on goal. The Blues gained a 16-5 edge in draw controls and registered an 8-6 lead in ground balls. Both teams completed 100% of their clear attempts, as WU was 9 for 9 and Whitman went 13 for 13.

Whitman was called for 30 fouls, including 24 in the first half, while the Bearcats committed 14 fouls. The Blues received the game's only penalties, a yellow card on Hailey Mount at the 20:27 mark in the first half and a green card on Teare with 16:43 left in the game.

The Bearcats will be back in action on Wednesday, April 10 with a Northwest Conference game against University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington. Game time is set for 4 p.m. (PDT).

Big Moment of the Game for Willamette

Victoria Glidden scored an unassisted goal with 26:19 left in the
first half to give the Bearcats a 2-1 lead against Whitman. The Blues
entered the season ranked second in the NWC Preseason Poll behind
four-time defending champion George Fox. Glidden recorded her goal
just 37 seconds after Bridge Blaney scored for the Bearcats. Glidden
has contributed six goals on the season.