Women’s Soccer: Two Second Half Goals Lead Willamette Past George Fox

With the win the Bearcats reclaim first place in the Northwest Conference.

Photos courtesy: George Fox University

NEWBERG - Jessica Lammers converted a penalty kick and Emily Gross scored on a tap-in, as the Willamette University Bearcats recorded two goals in the second half to rally from a 1-0 halftime deficit for a 2-1 win over George Fox University, in a Northwest Conference game on Wednesday.

With the victory, Willamette moved back into first place in the NWC by two points over the University of Puget Sound. George Fox fell to 5-10-2 overall and to 3-8-2 in the NWC.

WU, now 13-2-2 overall and 10-2-1 in the NWC, leads the conference with 31 points. UPS holds second place at 9-1-2 (29 points), but the Loggers have a game in hand. Whitworth (9-2-2-), also with a game in hand, hold third place with 28 points. Willamette is ranked #19 this week in the NCAA Division III National Rankings compiled by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).

In Wednesday’s game, George Fox set up the chance for an upset by scoring just before halftime at 44:13. Kaylee Ross produced the goal on an assist from Kayla Weber. Ross’ shot from five yards out in the middle of the field, was sent into the upper left corner of the goal. Weber started the play with a crossing pass from near the end line on the right side of the field.

The score remained 1-0 until the Bruins were called for a foul inside their own penalty area at 63:27. Lammers took the penalty kick, which was saved by GFU goalie Jessica Cardwell. The officials ruled, however, that Cardwell moved forward prior to the kick, and Lammers received a second chance to score. She converted the penalty kick on the second try, registering her third goal of the season and tying the score at 1-1.

Willamette moved into the lead at 79:03 on the goal by Gross. Lammers created the scoring chance with a crossing pass from the left side. The ball wound up in a mass of players near the goal, and Gross took advantage of the mayhem to score the go-ahead goal. Gross has scored six goals this year.

George Fox took its final shot of the game 40 seconds later. The shot was taken by Ross, with Willamette goalkeeper Kari Woody earning a save on the play. The Bearcats concluded the contest with a 16-9 edge in total shots, including a 10-4 advantage during the second half. WU achieved an 11-3 margin in shots on goal.

Woody improved her record to 13-2-2 in the nets. She made two saves during the game. Cardwell finished with nine saves for the Bruins.

The Bearcats will return to action with another NWC game on Saturday at Linfield. Game time is set for 11:00 AM.

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