Bearcats Pepper Net, but Willamette and Concordia Chicago Tie, 0-0, in 2 OT

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

RICHARDSON, Texas -- Willamette University outshot Concordia University Chicago by a 23-7 margin, but the Bearcats and the Cougars tied 0-0 in two overtimes on Saturday, Sept. 9 at the UT Dallas Challenge Cup. The Bearcats earned a 9-3 advantage in shots on target and also held a 5-2 margin in corner kicks. With the tie, Willamette stayed undefeated at 2-0-1, while CUC remained winless at 0-4-1.

Concordia Chicago goalkeepers Madeline Kroll and Allyson Krajnak kept the Cougars in the game by making a combined nine saves. Kroll registered three saves in the first half, while Krajnak added six saves in the second half and overtime periods.

Willamette has allowed just one goal in 302 minutes played this season. On Saturday, WU goalies Kristen Barclay (So., GK, Kenmore, WA/Cedar Park Christian School) and Kahiau Freitas (Fr., GK, Kaneohe, HI/Kamehameha Schools Kapalama) were ready when needed. Barclay didn't have to record a save while playing in the first half, but was called on to make one stop in the first overtime. She was also in goal in the second overtime. Freitas was credited with two saves while playing all 45 minutes of the second half.

"It was frustrating because we ceated great scoring opportunities and just couldn't finish," Willamette Head Coach Hillary Arthur said. "We did a great job of controlling the game tempo, pace of play and possession. It was just one of those nights where we played well, but couldn't find the back of the net."

The Bearcats outshot Concordia Chicago 8-1 in the first half and owned a 3-0 edge in shots on goal at the break. Shanna Keil (So., M, Danville, CA/San Ramon Valley HS) and Caroline Adams (Fr., M, Snohomish, WA/Archbishop Murphy HS) each took two shots in the first 45 minutes. Esther Annoreno had CUC's only shot of the first half. 

Three of WU's shots in the first half were in a five-minute span that began with a shot by Marley Duncan (Sr., F, Pukalani, HI/Kamehameha School) that Kroll saved at 33:39. Adams forced Kroll to make another save at 37:07. About a minute later, Lacey Jones (Fr., F, Portland, OR/David Douglas HS) missed wide right.

Willamette added 11 shots in the second half, while CUC managed just three shots. Kelsey Walker (Sr., M, Westerville, OH/Westerville North HS) of Willamette hit the crossbar at 52:02. Walker took two shots blocked by defenders at 52:34 and 53:06. Jones was stopped by a save from Krajnak at 54:24.

Freitas registered saves for the Bearcats at 68:17 and 84:13, both on shots by Sarah Lacost. In addition to stopping Jones just over nine minutes into the half, Krajnak also achieved saves against Emmy Manset (Sr., F, Ventura, CA/Foothill Technology HS) at 77:39 and 82:55. WU received a corner kick at 89:26, but the Bearcats were unable to create a shot and the game went into overtime.

Concordia held a 3-2 advantage in total shots during the first overtime, but each team placed one shot goal. Lacost took a shot on target at 74:37, but Barclay responded with a save. Yume Matsuyama (So., Saitama, Japan/Bunkyo Gakuin Univ. Girls HS) sent a shot toward the goal at 98:58 for Willamette. Krajnak made a save on the play.

In the second overtime, Willamette earned two shots and put both shots on target. Matsuyama's shot at 105:13 and Duncan's attempt at 106:07 were saved by Krajnak.

For the game, Keil of Willamette and Lacost of Concordia Chicago led all players with four total shots, while Matsuyama and Adams finished with three total shots for WU. Lacost took all three of CUC's shots on goal. Duncan and Matsuyama each registered two shots on goal for Willamette.

The Bearcats will take on University of Texas at Dallas on Sunday, Sept. 10 in the final game of the UT Dallas Challenge Cup. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CDT/5 p.m. PDT.