Willamette Outlasts Pacific, 1-0, as Desautels Scores in Second Overtime

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

SALEM, ORE. -- Senior midfielder Sarah Desautels (Snohomish, WA/Glacier Park HS) of Willamette University shot from 18 yards past onrushing Pacific University goalkeeper Megan Green just 51 seconds into the second overtime period to send the Bearcats to a 1-0 victory over the Boxers on Saturday, Nov. 8 at Sparks Field.

Kelsey Walker (Fr., MF, Westerville, OH/Westerville North HS) received an assist on the goal. She set up the chance for Desautels with a lengthy pass from the midfield.

It was the final game of the season for both teams. Willamette ended the year with a 4-14-2 overall record and a 3-11-2 mark (7th place) in the Northwest Conference. Pacific finished with a 6-13-12 record, including 3-12-1 (8th place tie) in the NWC.

Prior to the game, Willamette honored its five seniors. They are Desautels, Malia Simpson (Sr., MF, Fairbanks, AK/West Valley HS), Brenna McGown (Sr., D, Boise, ID/Boise HS), Krista Lauer (Sr., D, San Diego, CA/Francis Parker School), Lindsay Russo (Sr., D, La Mesa, CA/Grossment HS).

Pacific outshot Willamette, 4-2, in the first half, but the Bearcats held a 2-1 lead in shots on goal. Megan Green, who was in goal for the Boxers, made two saves in the first half, while WU goalkeeper Emily Sewall (So., GK, Petaluma, CA/Casa Grande HS) registered one save.

The scoreless tie continued throughout the second 45 minutes, but Willamette gained an 11-2 edge in total shots during the half.

Willamette's Marley Duncan (Fr., F, Pukalani, HI/Kamehameha School) missed wide right on a shot at 49:33. Shots for the Bearcats by Emma Sanders (So., MF, Kennewick, WA/Southridge HS) at 52:40 and by Desautels at 53:25 were saved by Green.

Pacific had a good chance to score at 61:44, when McKenna Davidson had a breakaway. Davidson shot from 13 yards on the left side toward the near post. Sewall was positioned next to the post and smothered the shot.

At 63:36, Kinsey Keene (So., MF, Eagle, ID/Eagle HS) of Willamette missed high following a corner kick. Jill Phillips (Jr., MF/GK, Fairbanks, AK/West Valley HS) shot at the 69:37 mark, but Green made a save. Emmy Manset (Fr., F, Ventura, CA/Foothill Technology HS) took a follow shot that went wide.

Walker had a shot blocked at 81:30 and Manset's shot 19 seconds later was saved. Meridith Greer (Fr., F, Beaverton, OR/Southridge HS) took the final shot of regulation at 88:57, but Megan recorded a save.

WU gained a 3-1 edge in shots during the first overtime, but the Boxers took the only shot on goal during the 10-minute session. Kara Lankey forced Sewall to make a save at 97:38.

The Bearcats finished with a 17-7 advantage in total shots, including an 8-3 edge in shots on goal. Walker led all players with four shots. Desautels of Willamette, as well as Lankey and Davidson of Pacific, each took three shots. Green earned seven saves, while Sewall recorded three saves. Both teams finished with three corner kicks.

Four yellow cards were issued during the game, including three on the Boxers. Holly Chang-Northway of Pacific received two of the yellow cards. She was given the second yellow, resulting in a red card and an ejection, during the first overtime at 94:18. The Boxers played shorthanded for the rest of the game.