Willamette Women's Soccer Opens Season With 3-0 Victory

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

SALEM, ORE. -- The Willamette University women's soccer team defeated Northwest Christian University 3-0 on Tuesday, Sept. 1 at Sparks Field. Willamette moved to 1-0 on the season while Northwest Christian fell to 1-2.

Willamette fans did not have to wait long to cheer as the Bearcats scored less than a minute into the game on an unassisted goal by Rachel Janny (Sr., F, Olympia, WA/Olympia HS). Andrea Rowan (Fr., MF, Boise, ID/Timberline HS) scored the second goal for Willamette on a shot from 14 yards out to give the Bearcats a 2-0 lead less than seven minutes later. The Bearcats remained in front 2-0 at half.

Willamette scored their third and final goal with less than five minutes remaining in the game. Ariel Wilson (Fr., MF, Fort Collins, CO/Poudre HS) scored her first goal as a Bearcat on an assist from Maddy Grainger (Fr., F, Salt Lake City, UT/West HS).

Wilson, Rowan and Grainger were not the only Bearcat freshmen who played in the game. The 2009 Bearcat roster includes eight freshmen, who each saw action against the Beacons.

Willamette used two goal keepers, Kelli Gano (Jr., Portland, OR/Cleveland HS) and Jill Schneeman (So., Burien, WA/Mount Rainier HS). Gano played the first half for the Bearcats and recorded one save in 45 minutes. Schneeman finished what Gano started, holding the visiting Beacons scoreless in the second half. Schneeman earned three saves.

The Bearcats were strong defensively throughout the game, holding Northwest Christian University to just one shot attempt in the first half. Northwest Christian recorded only six shots the entire game compared to Willamette's fifteen.

Willamette's next game is Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. (PST) against Western Oregon University. The game will be played at Sparks Field.