Bearcats Slow Down Puget Sound after Fast Start in 2-0 Loss to Loggers

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, Ore. -- The University of Puget Sound women's soccer team, ranked #5 in Region X of NCAA Division III, scored two goals early at Willamette University on Saturday, Sept. 23. The goals were scored at 4:32 and 12:20. After the Loggers grabbed a 2-0 lead, the Bearcats held Puget Sound scoreless the rest of the way, as neither team earned a goal in the final 77-plus minutes at Sparks Field.

Puget Sound upped its record to 4-2-0 overall and 2-0-0 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette ended the game at 0-5-1 on the season, 0-2-0 in the NWC.

Zoe Fowler scored the first goal for PS on a shot from eight yards just 4:32 into the game. She shot the ball into the lower middle section of the goal after a shot by Ava Cholakian was saved by WU goalkeeper Siera Edwards (So., GK, Portland, OR/Sunset HS). Just under eight minutes later, Kya Scott tallied the Loggers' second score, as she was successful on a 21-yard shot near the attacking top left corner of the 18-yard box. The ball went into the upper middle of the net.

The Loggers outshot Willamette 14-7 overall and 4-2 in shots on target. Puget Sound held a 9-1 shooting advantage over the first 45 minutes, while Willamette outshot the Loggers 6-5 in the second half. Edwards recorded two saves in goal for the Bearcats. Goalie Megan Schellhase of Puget Sound also registered two saves. WU held a 3-2 edge in corner kicks.

Tessa Fisher (Fy., M, Keizer, OR/McNary HS) led the Bearcats with two total shots. Fisher and Claire Warthen (Fy., M, Bremerton, WA/Bremerton HS) each took one shot on goal. Cholakina of PS topped all players with six total shots. She placed two of her shots on target. Fowler took three shots overall and sent one shot on goal.

Willamette will remain at home to take on George Fox University at Sparks Field on Sunday, Sept. 24. Game time is slated for 12 p.m. PDT.