SALEM, Ore. – The Corban University Women's Lacrosse team (0-1) kicked off their 2023 season schedule at home against crosstown rival NCAA DIII Willamette University, where the Bearcats got the better of a young Warrior lineup to take the game 22-8.
"Tonight's game was a good first match to have against a scrappy, quick Willamette team," Warriors' Head Coach Kylie McMinn shared shortly after her team's first game of the season.
"Their zone defense was tough to break, but we scored almost triple what we scored the last time we played them, both off of drives as well as assists, with multiple goal scorers, which shows our growth and maturity offensively," McMinn elaborated.
"We have a brand new defensive unit that let a lot of goals through, but we learned a lot tonight. We look forward to the next time we can play them," McMinn concluded.
A quick hat trick from Warriors' freshman attacker Jillian Phillips, who scored three of the first four goals by either squad to put Corban ahead 3-1 with 8:34 remaining in the first quarter.
However, the lull in offense from Willamette was quickly eradicated with a massive scoring streak, as the Bearcats scored seven-straight goals to take a 7-3 advantage early in the second period.
Corban junior attacker Sydney Davis, the Warriors' leading goal scorer from the 2022 season, was next to get on the board with a man up advantage for the Navy and Gold, ending the scoring drought before the halftime horn.
The Bearcats tacked on three more goals before Warriors' freshman attacker Naomi Rauch scored her first collegiate goal, as Phillips found her in front of the crease to net Corban's fifth goal of the contest.
Willamette added two more scores before halftime, taking a decisive 13-5 advantage with two quarters of play remaining. Five different Bearcats got in on the scoring action to with attacker Catie Kawamura leading the charge with four goals.
Both Davis and Phillips found the back of the net again in the third quarter, but Willamette won their third-straight quarter via a 5-2 goal differential to force the running clock for the remainder of the night.
Senior midfielder Meredith Pinkerton tallied the first goal of her final season of play in the fourth quarter after connecting for her first assist in the quarter prior. She was assisted on the play by freshman attacker Samantha Bonczkowski.
Sophomore goalie Payton Nuse (0-1) took the loss in her first appearance in goal this year, allowing 22 goals while defending six saves over 60 minutes played. Bearcats' goalie Shelby Sawyer earned the win after seeing eight Corban goals fly by her, notching three saves in the process.
Phillips led the offensive attack for the Warriors with four goals and an assist in her first collegiate contest, while Davis added a brace with a pair of goals. Pinkerton and Rauch each added a goal in the Corban's loss.
Bearcats' attacker Catie Kawamura scored a game-high six goals in her team's road victory tonight, missing only two shots all game. Midfielders Maddie Garcia and Brooklyn Pearl each added four goals apiece for Willamette, while attacker Tati Klenk was the only other hat trick earner with three goals scored. Attacker Lily Bachiochi dished out a game-high five assists along the way.
The Warriors will hit the road for a scrimmage this upcoming Saturday, as they'll visit Newberg, Oregon and NCAA DIII George Fox University (0-0) in what will be an exhibition contest for the Bruins.
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