SALEM, Ore. – The visiting Bushnell University women’s soccer team closed out the non-conference schedule with a 4-0 loss at Willamette University on Friday evening at Sparks Field.
Bushnell, who finishes non-conference play with a 2-3 record, was outshot 31-5 on the match. Willamette (1-3) posted 16 shots on goal to earn its first win of the year.
Emma Blackburn got the scoring started for the Bearcats, scoring on a free kick just outside the penalty area in the 22
nd minute. Blackburn drove her shot into the upper left corner of the net, just outside the reach of Beacons’ goalkeeper Anabel Mendez.
Willamette was awarded a penalty kick just over four minutes later but was unable to convert as the attempt hit the crossbar. The Bearcats grabbed a 2-0 advantage shortly after as Aanya Friedeman put a shot into the left side of the net in the 28
th minute.
Mendez was busy in the first half, making eight saves to keep the deficit within two. The Beacons were outshot 18-4 through the opening 45 minutes but limited the damage.
The Bearcats kept the pressure on the Beacons in the second half, taking the first four shots of the period before connecting in the 64
th minute. Willamette added their fourth and final goal in the 79
th minute as Blackburn recorded her second of the match.
Mendez recorded a career-high 12 saves on the match. Blake Danna, Amanda Whetten and Jamie Figueredo each took a shot on goal.
Up next, the Beacons open Cascade Collegiate Conference play with a match at Carroll College (Mont.) on Friday, Sept. 17. It will be the fifth straight road match for the team.