Vieira Scores Twice for Puget Sound, as Loggers Defeat Bearcats, 3-0

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

SALEM, ORE. -- University of Puget Sound received two goals from Robin Vieira in the final 19 minutes to extend a slim 1-0 lead into a 3-0 victory over Willamette University in a Northwest Conference women's soccer game on Sunday, Sept. 23 at Sparks Field. UPS improved to 4-2-1 overall, 3-0-1 in the NWC, while Willamette dropped to 3-5 overall, 1-3 in the NWC.

The Loggers took a 1-0 lead at 16:48 when Liz Blonden shot from 19 yards into the upper left corner of the goal following a corner right. Kylie Beeson, who took the corner kick, earned an assist on the play.

Willamette nearly equalized the score at 34:40, when a shot by Paige Lancourt (Jr., MF, Eagle, ID/Eagle HS) hit the inside of the left post, but didn't go into the goal. The ball bounded back into play and was recovered by PLU goalie Kara Merfeld, who turned around in time to prevent the ball from hitting her and bouncing back toward the net.

Lancourt's shot was taken from 15 yards just to the right of the goal. She kept the shot low as it went through traffic and eluded Merfeld. The ball connected with just enough of the post to prevent the play from ending in a goal.

Neither team scored during the remainder of the first half or the opening 25 minutes of the second half. Vieira tallied her first goal goal of the game at 71:35 to increase the lead for the Loggers to 2-0. She shot from 15 yards out after gathering a 15-yard through pass from Cassie Winter.

Vieira tallied her second goal with less than two minutes remaining at 88:42. Beeson started the play with a crossing pass from the right side of the field. Vieira shot from 12 yards out.

The Loggers achieved a 16-4 advantage in total shots, including 10-1 in the second half. Puget Sound placed eight of its shots on goal. WU goalkeeper Nicole Price (Jr., Auburn, WA/Thomas Jefferson HS) earned four saves, including two spectacular plays that kept quality shots out of the net. The Bearcat defense cleared one shot near the goal line.

Willamette had no shots on goal, although Lancourt's attempt that went off the post came close to tying the score in the opening half.

UPS gained a 9-3 margin in corner kicks. Willamette was called for 10 fouls and the Loggers were whistled for five fouls.

The Bearcats will host Linfield College on Saturday, Sept. 29 in a Northwest Conference game. Kickoff at Sparks Field is scheduled for 12 p.m. (PDT).