Willamette Dominates Statistics, but George Fox Slips Past Bearcats, 1-0

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

NEWBERG, ORE. -- Willamette University took 26 shots, including 11 shots on goal, but George Fox University goalkeeper Morgan Hansen made 11 saves and Sarah Tuemmler scored with 2:36 remaining, as the Bruins defeated the Bearcats, 1-0, at the Austin Sports Complex on Sunday, Oct. 19. GFU took only sevens shots with just three shots on goal.

The Bruins improved to 3-8-3 overall, 3-6-1 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette fell to 2-12-1, with a 1-9-1 record in the NWC.

It was Willamette's fifth game in nine days and the second time during those games that the Bearcats lost 1-0 despite limiting the opponents to less than four shots on goal. On Wednesday, Oct. 15, the Bearcats held Lewis & Clark College to two shots on goal, but the Pioneers won on a corner kick that went directly into the goal early in the game.

On Sunday, it was a late goal that enabled GFU to win. The play began with Kacie Morgan sending a pass to Tuemmler in the middle of the field near the top of the attacking penalty area. Tuemmler shot the ball into the left side of the net past WU goalkeeper Emily Sewall (So., GK, Petaluma, CA/Casa Grande HS). Morgan received an assist on the play.

Willamette built a 12-2 margin in total shots in the first half, and held a 4-0 edge in shots on goal at halftime. The Bearcats added 14 shots over the final 45 minutes, including five shots on goal. WU couldn't get the ball by Hansen, who now has achieved 35 saves and a .833 save percentage in 430 minutes played. Sewall made two saves for the Bearcats.

Earlier this season on Oct. 4, the Bearcats outshot GFU 28-7 overall and 11-4 in shots on goal, but had to settle for a 0-0 tie in two overtimes at Sparks Field in Salem, Ore. In that game, Ally Swanson, the Bruins' other goalkeeper, earned 11 saves.

In the rematch on Sunday, Sarah Desautels (Sr., MF/F, Snohomish, WA/Glacier Park HS) topped Willamette's offensive chart with five total shots and two shots on goal. Rachel Fleener (Jr., F, Olympia, WA/Olympia HS), Jill Phillips (Jr., MF/GK, Fairbanks, AK/West Valley HS) and Malia Simpson (Sr., MF, Fairbanks, AK/West Valley HS) each registered four shots.

Tuemmler, Morgan and Becca Allen each took two shots for GFU. Hannah Harder contributed one shot for the Bruins.

Willamette has gone seven games without a goal since scoring twice at the University of Puget Sound on Sept. 28. The Bearcats, who have now completed a stretch with eight of 11 games on the road, including four of the last five, will host Puget Sound on Saturday, Oct. 25. Kickoff at Sparks Field is set for 12 p.m. (PDT).