Whitworth Outscores Willamette, 3-1, in NWC Road Game for Bearcats

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

SPOKANE, WASH. -- Whitworth University received goals from Chloe Cook, Sarah Berentson and Jackie Day as the Pirates outscored Willamette University, 3-1, in a Northwest Conference women's soccer game on Sunday, Oct. 9. The Pirates evened their overall record at 4-4-2, while improving to 4-2-2 in the NWC. Willamette fell to 6-5-1 overall, 5-2-1 in the NWC.

The games also reached halftime with a scoreless tie, but Whitworth put in a goal at 44:10 to take a lead into the break. Cook headed the ball into the left side of the goal after receiving a crossing pass from the right side.

Early in the second half, the Pirates increased their lead to 2-0. Berentson tallied the additional goal at 46:49 on a shot from the right side that was lifted over Willamette goalkeeper Nicole Price (So., Auburn, WA/Thomas Jefferson HS).

Willamette quickly cut the lead in half, as Krista Lauer (Fr., D, San Diego, CA/Francis Parker HS/Bates College) scored just 31 seconds later at 47:20. Lauer's shot was from 6 yards and went into the right corner of the goal. She was assisted on the play by Ariel Wilson (Jr., MF, Fort Collins, CO/Poudre HS), who provided a crossing pass from the right side.

The Pirates took five shots over the next 15-and-a-half minutes. Price saved the first two shots and the third shot went wide. The fourth shot was blocked by a Willamette defender. Day took the fifth shot when she pounced on a loose ball in the penalty area and scored into the middle of the net at 62:47. Whitworth led, 3-1.

Willamette managed two more shots, both by the Bearcats' leading scorer Stephanie Skelly (Sr., MF, Poulsbo, WA/North Kitsap HS). The first shot was saved by Whitworth goalkeeper Callie Bergstrom at 72:23. The second shot was blocked by a Pirate defender at 83:04.

For the game, Whitworth held a 19-5 margin in total shots. The Pirates earned an 11-3 advantage in shots on goal and owned a 7-2 edge in corner kicks.

Price achieved eight saves for the Bearcats. Bergstrom recorded two saves for the Pirates.

It was Willamette's second game in as many days. The Bearcats defeated Whitman College, 2-1, in Walla Walla, Wash. on Saturday, Oct. 8. Whitworth was playing for the first time since tying Linfield College 0-0 in two overtimes in McMinnville, Ore., on Sunday, Oct. 2.

The Bearcats will return to action on Saturday, Oct. 15 when they host Linfield in an NWC action. Game time at Sparks Field is set for 12 p.m. (PDT).