Box Score

SALEM, Ore. – After spotting George Fox University a goal early in the second half, Willamette University bounced back to score twice, Alex Batzer's goal in the 74th minute breaking a 1-1 tie that gave the Bearcats a 2-1 victory over the visiting Bruins in a Northwest Conference women's soccer match Saturday afternoon here at Sparks Field.

After a scoreless first half in which George Fox took six shots to five for Willamette, the Bruins broke through at 49:09 when Kirsten Cardwell headed in a corner kick by Nicole Akiu from four yards out.  It was her sixth goal of the season.  The Bearcats tied it four-and-a-half minutes later when Samantha Post took a corner kick from Kelsey Rogel and tapped it inside the right post at 53:31, her third score of the season.  

The Bearcats notched the winning goal at 74:33 when Batzer, after a pass from Beth Tatlock, sent home a long strike over Bruin goalkeeper Sally Page for her sixth goal of the year.  The Bruins had a shot to tie with ten-and-a-half minutes to go by Jenny McKinsey and again with four minutes left by Cardwell, but Bearcat keeper Kelli Gano was able to save them both as she finished with six saves in the game.  Page had two stops for the Bruins.

The evenly-contested game saw each team take 10 shots, the Bruins with seven on goal and the Bearcats with four.  Willamette collected 10 corner kick opportunities, while George Fox had seven.

George Fox (10-6, NWC 6-6) hits the road again next Saturday, Nov. 1, visiting Linfield College for an 11:00 a.m. game.  Willamette (9-4, NWC 7-4) visits Lewis & Clark College Sunday, also at 12:00 noon.