NEWBERG, Ore. – Kirsten Cardwell scored in the first half to move into a tie for fifth on the all-time goals list at George Fox University, but the Willamette University Bearcats scored in the second half and overtime to rally past the Bruins 2-1 in Northwest Conference women's soccer Saturday afternoon here at the Austin Sports Complex.

Cardwell scored her fourth goal of the season six-and-a-half minutes into the game on a penalty kick to the right corner following a Willamette foul against Melanie Gaither in the penalty box.  It was the senior forward's 26th career goal, tying her for fifth in Bruin history with Amber Stevens (2004-07).

The George Fox defense nursed that slim 1-0 lead through the next 67 minutes before the Bearcats' leading scorer, Stephanie Skelly, took over.  Skelly had sat out the last 37 minutes of the first half after a collision with Bruin keeper Alyssa Montero, but came back in the second half to tie the game in the 74th minute on a free kick from 20 yards out to the upper left corner after a foul near the box.  It was her seventh score of the season.

George Fox had two shots that went astray in the remaining regulation time and Willamette had three, two of which went wide, and the third was saved by Montero, sending the match to overtime. 

Midway through the first overtime, the Bearcats received only their second corner kick of the game, which Shannon Scott sent to the front of the goal.  Montero punched the ball out, but Skelly intercepted the ball inside the left side of the box and sent it back into the far corner of the net from 10 yards out for her eighth goal and the game-winner at the 94:25 mark.

Willamette held a 16-11 advantage in total shots and 9-5 in shots on goal.  Alex Batzer led the Bearcats with seven shots, two on goal, while Molly Norton led the Bruins with three shots, two on goal.  Montero made seven saves for the Bruins, with Kelli Gano making four stops for the Bearcats.

NEXT:  George Fox (3-8-3, NWC 2-7-1) is off until next Saturday, Oct. 23, when the Bruins will visit Whitworth University in Spokane, Wash., for a 12:00 noon match ... Willamette (6-8, NWC 5-5) returns home to host Lewis & Clark College Sunday at 12:00 noon.