Keil Provides WU with a Goal and Sets up another in 3-1 Victory over Linfield

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Shanna Keil (Sr., F, Danville, CA/San Ramon Valley HS) of Willamette University scored the game's first goal and later set up the game-clinching goal, as the Bearcats defeated their archrival Linfield College, 3-1, in a Northwest Conference women's soccer game on Saturday, Sept. 21. The win at Sparks Field advanced WU's record to 2-3 on the season, 1-0 in the NWC. The Wildcats fell to 2-4 overall, 1-1 in the NWC.

Keil's goal was scored at the end of a strong individual run. She took control of the ball about 35 yards from the goal and ended her possession with a small-angle shot from the left side of the penalty area into the upper right corner of the goal. Willamette held a 1-0 advantage at the 11:52 mark.

The Bearcats upped the lead to 2-0 at 37:25 on a goal scored by Julia Fecteau (So., F, Bend, OR/Bend HS) and assisted by Jackie Gilroy (Fy., F/M, Mercer Island, WA/Mercer Island HS). Gilroy crossed the ball from the left side toward Fecteau. A defender headed the ball, but it still reached Fecteau, who had time to gain control before shooting from seven yards near the right post.

Willamette took its 2-0 lead into the halftime break. Each team had three shots on goal in the first half, but Linfield held a 5-4 edge in total shots and a 6-0 margin in corner kicks.

Neither team scored in the second half until Kristen Burke put the ball into the net for Linfield at 83:08. Amidee Colleknon recorded an assist on the play. Colleknon stole the ball and sent a through-pass from about 37 yards to Burke, who gained control about 24 yards from goal and drove toward the net. Burke shot from a few yards out toward the near post.

With their lead reduced to 2-1, the Bearcats sought a clinching goal, which they received from Emma Blackburn (So., F, Los Altos, CA/Saint Francis HS) with 2:20 left. Keil set up the play by passing from the left edge of the penalty area near the goal line. Blackburn was open at the top of the six-yard box. Her first shot was saved by Linfield goalie Madi Reimer, but the rebound went straight to Blackburn, who shot the ball into the right corner of the net. Since Blackburn rebounded her own shot, no assist was awarded on the play.

Linfield held a 14-9 edge in total shots during the game and also owned a 6-4 margin in shots on goal. Willamette goalies Kristen Barclay (Sr., GK, Kenmore, WA/Cedar Park Christian School) and Grasiela Quevedo-Ramos (Jr., GK, Salem, OR/West Salem HS) each played 45 minutes, with Barclay earning three saves in the first half and Quevedo-Ramos registering two saves in the second half. Reimer was credited with one save.

The Bearcats will take on George Fox University in Newberg, Oregon, on Sunday, Sept. 22. Game time for the NWC match-up is set for 12 p.m. (PDT).