UC-Santa Cruz Rallies Past Bearcats, 3-2, at Slugfest Tournament

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

SANTA CRUZ, CALIF. -- The University of California-Santa Cruz rallied from an early 2-0 deficit to defeat visiting Willamette University in the final game of the 2013 Slugfest Tournament, hosted by the Banana Slugs on the UCSC campus. UC-Santa Cruz upped its record to 4-1-1 on the season. Willamette fell to 2-2 overall.

Ashland Bernard (Jr., F/MF, Kirkland, WA/Juanita HS) contributed a goal and an assist for Willamette. She gave the Bearcats a 1-0 advantage just 7:40 into the game, when she scored on a 20-yard shot. Four minutes later, at the 11:43 mark, Bernard sent a crossing pass to Veronica Ewers (So., MF, Moscow, ID/Moscow HS), who shot the ball into the net for a 2-0 lead.

UC-Santa Cruz cut the lead to 2-1 just over three minutes later on a corner kick that led to a goal by Megan Carey. Dru Dowis, who took the corner kick, earned an assist on the play.

Willamette maintained its one-goal advantage at halftime. UCSC held a 10-5 margin in total shots during the first half, but Willamette owned a 5-3 edge in shots on goal.

The Banana Slugs tied the game at 67:13. Sara Sadler registered the goal on a 20-yard shot, while Chay Thomas was credited with an assist. UC-Santa Cruz moved in front 3-2 at 84:17, when Taylor Keenan scored on an assist from Antonia Darragh.

Krista Lauer (Jr., D, San Diego, CA/Francis Parker School) took the game's final shot at 87:53, forcing UCSC goalkeeper Gabby Trujillo to make her fourth save of the game.

WU goalkeeper Nicole Price (Sr., Auburn, WA/Thomas Jefferson HS) finished the game with five saves.

UC-Santa Cruz outshot Willamette 23-9 overall, but the Banana Slugs claimed a much slimmer margin of 8-6 in shots on goal. UCSC took nine corner kicks, while the Bearcats registered three.

The Slugfest Tournament lasted a total of four days, with seven teams participating. UC-Santa Cruz and Willamette each played three games, while the remaining teams competed in two games apiece. The Banana Slugs went 1-1-1 in the tournament, while the Bearcats were 1-2.

After playing three games so quickly, Willamette will not play again until the Bearcats open Northwest Conference action on Wednesday, Sept. 18 with a home game against Lewis & Clark College. Kickoff at Sparks Field in Salem, Ore., is set for 7 p.m. (PDT).