Knights Outlast Bearcats, 1-0, in Women's Soccer

By Mark Colachico, Interim Assistant Athletics Communications Director

SALEM, ORE. -- Despite holding a 12-4 advantage in total shots, Willamette University could not overcome a goal 14 seconds into the second half falling to Warner Pacific College, 1-0, Saturday night at Sparks Field.

The game's only goal was netted by Cristal Rivalcaba of WPC at the 45:14 mark off an assist by Ashley Valencia. The scoring play began with a steal off the opening kickoff of the second half, as Valencia sent a through ball onto the foot of Rivalcaba. After collecting the pass, Rivalcaba dribbled along the end line before unleashing a shot from 12 yards out into the upper right corner for the eventual game-winner. The goal was Rivalcaba's first of the season, as she was appearing in her first game this year for the visiting Knights.

Willamette had numerous scoring chances throughout the game, as Emmy Manset (Fr., F, Ventura, CA/Foothill Technology HS) led the Bearcats with three shots on the evening.

Over the opening 45 minutes, Willamette had four scoring opportunities with Jill Phillips (Jr., MF, Fairbanks, AK/West Valley HS) registering the first chance 79 seconds into the game. The host Bearcats would have three more chances to get on the scoreboard in the first half only to have Warner Pacific's goalkeeper Allie Holterman stop each shot that Willamette unleashed.

In the second half, Willamette regrouped after the early goal and controlled the tempo with Manset and Kinsey Keene (So., MF, Eagle, ID/Eagle HS) getting the best chances. Manset unleashed a shot at the 78:27 just wide of the net before Keene had the Bearcats' best scoring chance at the 87:16 mark thanks to a header off a pass from Emma Manzano (So., MF, San Jose, CA/Presentation HS). Unfortunately for Willamette, Keene's header skipped just past the left post keeping the home team with the deficit.

WU goalkeeper Emily Sewall (So., GK, Petaluma, CA/Casa Grande HS) earned one save, while the Knights' Holterman finished with a game-high five saves.

The Bearcats gained a 4-3 edge in corner kicks. All four of their corners were earned in the second half after the Knights received the only two corner kicks in the first 45 minutes.

Four different Warner Pacific players registered one shot each. Manset was aided offensively by Keene, Sarah Desautels (Sr., MF/F, Snohomish, WA/Glacier Park HS), and Emma Sanders (So., MF, Kennewick, WA/Southridge HS) each contributing with two shots for Willamette.

Willamette will return to action on Friday, Sept. 12, against Northwest Christian University. Game time at Sparks Field is slated for 5 p.m. PDT and will be the first part of a soccer doubleheader that kicks off Alumni/Homecoming weekend action.