Willamette Battles Nearby Rival Western Oregon to 0-0 Tie

By Sara Brooks, Assistant Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6219

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University squared off against local foe Western Oregon University (NCAA Division II) under the lights at Sparks Field Wednesday evening. The rivals battled through regulation and then two overtime periods before ended the game with a 0-0 tie. The Bearcats, from NCAA Division III, moved to 1-0-1 on the season, while the Wolves moved to 1-2-2.

Neither team scored during a physical first half. The Bearcats tallied four shots in the half with Kimber Mattox (So., MF, Bend, OR/Cornell University) recording two of those shots. Rachel Janny (Sr., F, Olympia, WA/Olympia HS) and Stephanie Skelly (MF, So., Poulsbo, WA/North Kitsap HS) recorded the other shots. Skellys shot was the only shot on goal for WU during the half.

Western Oregon had one strong shot in the first half that hit the right post before Willamette finally gained control. The Wolves were limited to just three shots the entire half. Kelli Gano (Jr., Portland, OR/Cleveland HS) provided solid play as WU's goalkeeper in the first half.

Eight fouls were called in the half, three against the Bearcats and five against the Wolves. Play was physical throughout the 45-minute stanza, but neither team gained a clear advantage.

Once again, the Bearcats battled the Wolves to a scoreless deadlock in the second half. Physical play continued with eight more fouls called in the half, three on WU and five on WOU.

Willamette tallied just one shot, by Skelly, during second-half play. Jill Schneeman (So., Burien, WA/Mount Rainier HS) played the entire second half in goal for the Bearcats. She recorded three saves.

During the first of two 10-minute overtime periods, the Bearcats had on of their best scoring opportunities. Janny provided junior Alex Batzer (F, Medford, OR/North Medford HS) with a perfect pass for a straight on shot from 15 yards but WOUs keeper made the save.

Ariel Wilson (Fr., MF, Fort Collins, CO/Poudre HS) had WUs next big scoring chance with 4:35 remaining in the second overtime. Her shot from 13 yards away was saved by WOUs keeper, Brittney Rigtrup. The play was set-up by a through pass from the midfield by Andrea Rowan (Fr., MF, Boise, ID/Timberline HS) that left Wilson with only Rigtrup to beat. Wilsons shot on goal was the Bearcats' last attempt at the net before the contest ended in a 0-0 tie.

For the game, the Bearcats recorded seven shots and three shots on goal. The Wolves had eleven shots and three shots on goal. A total of 26 fouls were called, 16 on Western and 10 on Willamette.

The Bearcats travel to Redlands, Calif., to take on the University of Redlands on Sept. 12. Game time is scheduled for 12 p.m. (PST).