Miller and Friedeman Score in Second Half as Bearcats Rally for 2-1 Win

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University rallied from an early 1-0 deficit as Joleigh Miller (Jr., D, Salem, OR/South Salem HS) and Aanya Friedeman (Jr., M, Camas, WA/Camas HS) scored in the second half to send the Bearcats past Whitman College, 2-1, on Saturday, Oct. 23 at Sparks Field. Willamette swept the season series with the Blues after also defeating Whitman 2-1 in Walla Walla, Washington, on Sept. 25.

The Bearcats improved to 4-11-0 on the season, 3-8-0 in the Northwest Conference. Whitman dropped to 1-13-1 overall, 1-11-0 in the NWC.

Carolina Gonzalez scored the first goal of the game on a follow-shot just 6:47 into the contest. Elizabeth Williams began the play with a shot from the right side that was saved by WU goalkeeper Jordan Roue (Sr., GK, San Jose, CA/Prospect HS). The rebound went to Gonzalez, who shot from nine yards into the top of the net. The Blues maintained their 1-0 advantage throughout the first half.

Willamette tied the game less than four minutes into the second half on Miller's goal at 48:41. She shot from 10 yards after a corner kick was deflected by the Whitman defense. Just over seven minutes later, Friedeman gave Willamette a 2-1 lead on a sot at 55:53. Nina Krassner-Cybulski (Fy., F, Porter Ranch, CA/Agoura HS) earned an assist on the play after she sent a short pass to Friedeman near the top of the 18-yard box. Friedeman's shot from 15 yards was deflected by a defender, with the ball looping over goalkeeper Hanna Lynch and into the goal.

The Bearcats, who did record a shot in the first half, created 11 shots over the final 45 minutes. Willamette finished with an 11-9 edge in total shots, while Whitman held a 7-6 margin in shots on goal. The Blues took five shots in the first half and four shots in the second half.

Miller and Sophie Cleland (So., M, Eugene, OR/North Eugene HS) each contributed three shots for the Bearcats. Molly Beaulieu topped Whitman's offensive chart with four shots, all on target.

Roue earned six saves to lead the Willamette defense, while Lynch registered four saves for the Blues. The Bearcats claimed a 4-2 advantage in corner kicks, including 4-1 in the second half.

Willamette will play Whitworth University at Sparks Field on Sunday, Oct. 24. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. (PDT).