Lewis & Clark Edges Willamette, 1-0, as Early Corner Kick finds Net

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

SALEM, ORE. -- Lewis & Clark College scored an unusual goal just over two minutes into the game and held on to defeat Willamette University, 1-0, in Northwest Conference action at Sparks Field on Wednesday, Oct. 15. L&C improved to 7-4-2 overall, 5-3-1 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette dropped to 2-10-1 overall, 1-7-1 in the NWC.

Megan Ratfield of L&C took a corner kick from the left side of the field 2:17 into the game, and sent the ball toward the goal. The ball curved a bit as it neared the goal and went into the net near the left post.

The goal held up for Lewis & Clark, but not until the Pioneers absorbed steady pressure from the Bearcats in the final 14 minutes of the game.

Rachel Fleener (Jr., F, Olympia, WA/Olympia HS) shot wide left on a header for Willamette with 13:08 remaining in the game. Later, with 2:41 left, Fleener took a shot from 10 yards out that was immediately blocked by an L&C defender. Fleener's shot followed a free kick for the Bearcats that bounced in the box.

It was another free kick that led to Willamette's best chance of the game.

After L&C's Anna Thorndike was whistled for a foul seven yards from the end line, Meridith Greer (Fr., MF/D, Beaverton, OR/Southridge HS) of WU set up to take the restart from several yards to the right of the penalty area.

Greer sent the ball into the middle of the box and found Krista Lauer (Sr., D, San Diego, CA/Francis Parker School) leaping above a group of players about six yards in front of the goal. Lauer headed the ball with power, but it went outside the right upright.

With momentum from their early goal, the Pioneers controlled significant stretches of action in the first 30 minutes. As the game gradually approached halftime, the Bearcats began to gain a more equal amount of possession and registered their first shot on an effort from the right side by Malia Simpson (Sr., MF, Fairbanks, AK/West Valley HS) at 40:42.

Even so, Lewis & Clark held a 3-2 edge in total shots at the break.

In the second half, Willamette had more of the quality play and seemed to continue to gain strength as the period advanced toward the final buzzer. The Bearcats outshot the Pioneers 8-3 in the second half, including 3-1 in shots on goal.

Defender Madelynn Ellis (So., D, Lake Oswego, OR/Lake Oswego HS) of WU made numerous trips into the attacking third of the field, often providing lengthy throw-ins as well as crosses from the left wing.

Sarah Desautels (Sr., MF/F, Snohomish, WA/Glacier Park HS) helped the Bearcats keep control in the midfield, interacted well with other attacking players, and contributed to support in the defensive half of the field on several occasions.

Fleener, Kinsey Keene (So., MF, Eagle, ID/Eagle HS) and Malia Simpson (Sr., MF, Fairbanks, AK/West Valley HS) contributed strong play on the attack. Overall, the Bearcats had a quality half of action, especially late in the game.

Willamette concluded the night with a 10-6 advantage in total shots and a 3-2 edge in shots on goal. L&C goalkeeper Geena Fong finished with three saves, while Emily Sewall (So., GK, Petaluma, CA/Casa Grande HS) made one save for the Bearcats. The Pioneers gained a 9-4 margin in corner kicks, including 6-1 in the first half.

Ratfield and Kylie Carera led Lewis & Clark with two shots apiece. Desautels topped WU with three total shots and had two shots on goal.

The Bearcats will take on Linfield College on Saturday, Oct. 18 in McMinnville, Ore. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. (PDT). Willamette will play its fifth game in nine days on Sunday, Oct. 19 at George Fox University, starting at 12 p.m.