SALEM, Ore. - Stephanie Skelly snuck a goal just across the line 90 seconds into the first overtime, giving the Willamette University Bearcats a narrow 1-0 win over the visiting George Fox University Bruins in a Northwest Conference women's soccer defensive struggle Saturday afternoon here at Sparks Field.

Although Willamette recorded 17 shots total to three for George Fox, decent shots were hard to come by for both teams as the defenses held the upper hand.  The Bruins got only one shot on goal by Jenny McKinsey which was stopped by Bearcat keeper Jill Schneeman in the second half (Kelli Gano had no opportunities in goal for Willamette in the first half).  The Bearcats were held to five shots on goal, with Bruin goalie Becka Doyle stopping four of them.  Willamette also held a 5-1 edge in corners.

After 90 minutes of clean but tough defense (only five fouls were called all day) with no score, the Bearcats got the game-winner when Skelly sent a cross toward the goal mouth which was stopped, then dropped and recovered by Doyle.  It appeared that the game would go on, but one of the officials ruled that the ball had indeed crossed over the line when dropped, saddling the Bruins with a hard-fought but tough-luck defeat. 

George Fox (6-8, NWC 3-7) plays again next Saturday at 12:00 noon at home vs. Whitworth University.  Willamette (7-6-1, NWC 6-4) visits Lewis & Clark College Sunday, also at 12:00 noon.