Willamette Rolls Past Pacific Lutheran, 5-1

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

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University gave up an early goal following a defensive turnover, but the Bearcats rallied to tie the game before halftime and pulled away with four goals in the second half for a 5-1 victory over Pacific Lutheran University on Saturday, Oct. 22. Paige Lancourt (So., MF, Eagle, Idaho/Eagle HS) scored a goal and provided two assists for the Bearcats, while the team's leading scorer, Stephanie Skelly (Sr., MF, Poulsbo, WA/North Kitsap HS), contributed a goal and an assist.

The Bearcats, ranked #10 in the West Region of NCAA Division III, improved to 8-6-1 overall, including 7-3-1 in the Northwest Conference. Pacific Lutheran dropped to 3-10-0 overall, 2-9-0 in the NWC.

PLU took a 1-0 lead at the 15:20 mark of the first half after WU goalkeeper Nicole Price (So., Auburn, WA/Thomas Jefferson HS) failed to make a strong clearance on a ball near the top of the penalty area. The ball went only a few yards out of the box, where it was taken by Olivia Lee of Pacific Lutheran.

Lee took a couple of dribbles forward and shot from 18 yards into an empty net.

The goal by Lee kept PLU in front until Willamette started to gain momentum later in the half. Ariel Wilson (Jr., MF, Fort Collins, CO/Poudre HS) took advantage of the increased offensive possession to score the tying goal at 25:52 on a 14-yard shot from the right side.

Wilson was assisted on the goal by Lancourt and Skelly. The play began with Skelly sending a short pass to Lancourt, who was in the middle of the field, a few yards outside the penalty area.

Lancourt took the pass and relayed the ball to Wilson near the right edge of the box. Wilson advanced a few yards closer to the goal before shooting.

The game was still tied 1-1 at halftime, but the Bearcats moved into the lead on a goal by Lancourt at 56:55 and kept the pressure on the Lutes.

Also scoring for WU in the second half were Skelly at 68:02, Kellie Standish (Fr., F, Redmond, WA/Eastside Catholic HS) at 72:48 and Ashland Bernard (Fr., F, Kirkland, WA/Juanita HS) at 88:18.