NEWBERG, Ore. -- For the first time since 2016, the George Fox women's lacrosse team took a loss to a Northwest Conference opponent, dropping the NWC Semifinal against the Willamette Bearcats in a close 7-6 game.
How It Happened
The Bearcats claimed the first goal within two minutes of the game—Fox soon tied the score, 1-1, when
Lana Davis scored on a free-position shot.
Ava Bluhm won the draw control following that, but Willamette gained back control with a ground ball pickup.
Claire Abraham didn't let them have it for long though, as she scored a sneaky goal, with Davis winning the draw control right after. There was some back-and-forth action for the next five minutes, but the Bearcats tied the score 2-2. Then, with a minute on the clock, Davis scored another strong goal, placing them back in the lead at 3-2.
The Bearcats controlled the game in the second, holding Fox scoreless as they tied the game, 3-3, with a goal three minutes into the period. The Bruins tallied five shots in the quarter, but just one was on goal (an open fastbreak attempt from
Merrick Gibson), as the game entered halftime knotted.
The Bearcats made some progress in another defensive third quarter as they tallied another goal, 4-3. Once again, the Bruin offense was stifled; Fox wasn't able to notch a shot until the closing seconds when
Alli Stilp attempted a shot, missing far wide. Bluhm launched a shot at the end of the period, but Willamette's Olivia Austin saved the ball, keeping the lead.
The final period was a nail-biter as Willamette scored two more goals in the first three minutes, tossing them forward 6-3. However, Fox rallied; Bluhm scored the next goal, paving the way for a potential comeback. Davis and
Naomi Rauch both attempted goals, but neither connected — Davis' was saved by the goalie, while Rauch's hit the top post on a free-position shot.
Eventually, Bluhm made another goal, gaining on the Bearcats, and then
Merrick Gibson scored a goal as well, tying the score 6-6. With all the momentum on Fox's side, Bluhm went down on the ensuing draw control and exited the game. Down one of their stars, the Bruins saw Claire Kisielnicki score the game-winning goal with 2:41 remaining. Fox wasn't able to generate a shot, as three cards in the closing moments helped the Bearcats run out the clock and hand Fox the stunning upset loss, the Bruins' first to an NWC foe since April 20, 2016, against Pacific.
Top Performances
Ava Bluhm was a top performer, scoring a total of two goals and seven draw control wins, while
Lana Davis also scored twice, with three assists and one draw control win.
Claire Abraham scored one goal and one draw control, as
Merrick Gibson scored one goal total. Defensively, goalkeeper
Kat Ellett had nine saves, and Ali Stlip had four ground balls.
What It Means
The Bruins fall to 14-4 while the Bearcats rise to 8-9.
What Comes Next
With the loss and any at-large chance for the NCAA Tournament slim, the Bruins' season comes to a close. Though Fox was not able to win the NWC Tournament, the Bruins will look to bounce back and win the conference for the 10th straight season in 2027.
