SALEM, Ore. --- The George Fox women's soccer team closed its 2021 fall campaign with its best record since the early 2000s after dropping Willamette, 3-1, on the road.

How It Happened

The Bruins set the pace from the start and found the back of the net in the 12th minute of play. Maggie Choate sent one forward from the midline and Hannah Beardempl ran on to it at the top right of the 18 before slotting it to the far post for a 1-0 lead. That lead held through the intermission until the 68th minute when the Bruins were able to tack on another.

The Bruins earned a corner kick and the Bearcats turned away their first and second attempts to score on the play, but were unable to clear the box. Madison Burch won the ball near the right post in the Bearcats' six and centered it for Rebecca Kozak who one-touched it past the keeper for a 2-0 lead.

The Bearcats answered back in the 70th minute to break up the Bruins' shutout bid, but Fox scratched a third goal through for the extra insurance in the 73rd minute. The Bruins' back line won the ball in the back left and played it forward and Maggie Phillips reversed field to Willa Evans. Evans dropped the hammer and found the far post for a 3-1 lead that held through the final whistle.

Top Performance

The Bruins' back line, holding midfield, and keeper did a good job of working together and defusing the Bearcats' offense, especially their furious onslaught in the closing minutes. The Bruins' technical ability and willingness to share were on display throughout the match with six different players combining to score and assist in the win.

Coach's Thoughts

"This was a good, gritty win and an unforgettable group [to coach this season]," Coach Laura Schott said after the tilt. "Wins don't come easy and we were fortunate to earn some great ones this year. Congratulations to our group, especially our seniors - they are going to move on to great things!"

What It Means

The Bruins improve to 12-6-2 overall and 10-4-2 in Northwest Conference matchups to cap their year. In Coach Schott's first full regular season, the Bruins went 6-3-1 both at home and on the road and notched the second-most shutouts in a single season with eight on the books in 2021.

The win also clinches third place in the NWC standings in 2021, which is the best finish since 2007 when the Bruins also went 12-6-2 overall and 9-7 in conference play.