Willamette Outscores Linfield 8-1 in Third Quarter as Bearcats Win 18-8

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University outscored Linfield University 8-1 during the third quarter of their Northwest Conference women's lacrosse game on Sunday, March 13, as the Bearcats built a 15-5 lead on their way to an 18-8 victory over the Wildcats. The win at Sparks Field improved the Bearcats to 4-1 on the season, 3-1 in the NWC, while Linfield dropped to 1-4 overall, 1-3 in the NWC.

Linfield scored the first goal of the third quarter on a goal by Amelia Wright to pull within 7-5, but Willamette tallied the next eight goals.

After Lily Bachiochi (Fy., ATT, Henderson, NV/Coronado HS) scored at the 13:05 mark and Maddie Garcia (Jr., MID, Encinitas, CA/San Dieguito Academy) added a goal with 10:10 to go in the quarter, the Bearcats took charge with three consecutive man-up goals. The first extra-strength goal was earned by Laura Kelly (Sr., ATT, Mountain View, CA/Mountain View HS) at 8:37. Analise Wilson (So., MID, Temecula, CA/Chaparral HS) added the next man-up goal at 6:52, and Garcia completed the string of extra-strength goals at the 3:49 mark. Two more goals, earned on shots by Garcia and Bachiochi, gave WU a 15-5 lead entering the fourth quarter.

Garcia and Tati Klenk (Jr., ATT, Truckee, CA/Tahoe Truckee HS) each scored five goals for Willamette during the game, with Klenk also adding an assist. Bachiochi tacked on four goals and five assists to lead all players with nine total points. Kelly finished with two goals and one assist. Wilson and Catie Kawamura (Jr., ATT, San Diego, CA/San Diego International Studies) each contributed one goal for the Bearcats.

Bethany Shade led Linfield with three goals. Amelia Wright provided the Wildcats with two goals and one assist. Maya Wright also scored two goals.

"Today was a great team win ... from strong defensive stops, connections in the midfield, and patient in finishing our attacking sets," Willamette Head Women's Lacrosse Coach Sarah Lautenbach said. "We had six different attackers put points up and we had big saves at the back end. We will look to build on this success as we go into our non-conference part of the schedule this week."

The Bearcats surged out to a 4-0 lead just over seven minutes into the first quarter. Klenk opened the scoring with 12:07 on the clock. Kawamura hit the net at the 10:50 mark and Garcia scored 36 seconds later. Klenk added the fourth goal at 7:59. Linfield scored twice in the final three minutes of the quarter to pull within 4-2.

Bachiochi tallied a goal for WU just over three minutes into the second quarter. The Wildcats answered with two quick goals by Maya Wright and Shade with 9:20 and 8:59 to go in the half, as Linfield cut the margin to 5-4. The Bearcats ended the half with two quick goals of their own, as Kelly scored at the 4:28 mark and Klenk recorded a successful shot with 3:51 left. 

Willamette achieved a 30-24 advantage in ground balls, while Linfield earned a 16-14 edge in draw controls. The Bearcats outshot the Wildcats 30-20, including a 22-15 advantage in shots on goal. WU goalkeeper Shelby Sawyer (Jr., GK, Marysville, WA/Bio Med Academy) registered six saves while picking up the win. Linfield's goalkeeper, Lizzy Harms, was credited with four saves. Willamette was 7 of 11 on free-position shots, while Linfield went 2 for 5.

Bachiochi led the Bearcats with five ground balls. Garcia, Jade Kampen (So., MID, Eugene, OR/South Eugene HS), Shea Richardson-Pepper (Fy., D/M, San Diego, CA/Scripps Ranch HS) each grabbed four ground balls. Kawamura topped WU's chart with eight draw controls. Seven Bearcats each caused one Linfield turnover. For the Wildcats, Abby Ross provided seven ground balls and seven draw controls. Ross and Emma Robbins each forced two turnovers.

The Bearcats will be back in action on Wednesday, March 16 when the host Augsburg University (Minn.). Game time at Sparks Field is scheduled for 5 p.m. (PDT).