Box Score
SALEM – For the second straight game the Pacific women's soccer team scored the first goal. For the second straight game the Boxers promptly gave up that early lead. Unfortunately, the Boxers could not get the trifecta and pull off back-to-back comeback victories.
Kailee Green (Fr., Hillsboro, Ore.) blasted in an opportunistic goal from the top of the 18-yard box for her third goal of the season, but Willamette struck twice before halftime and held on for a 2-1 victory over the Boxers.
The Bearcats (3-1-1 NWC, 4-4-1 overall) tallied two strikingly similar goals, both on headers to the far post off crosses into the box. With the victory, Willamette breaks out of a three way tie for fourth place with Pacific and Linfield.
After yet another midgame lapse, the Boxers (2-2-1, 5-3-1) regrouped and mounted a few quality scoring chances in the second half, culminating in a
Shekema McCarthy (Sr., Davis, Calif.) shot that dinged off the crossbar.
“Overall, it was just an inconsistent performance from us,” said head coach Morgan Crabtree. “We didn't quite have the will to win we expect to see from this group. The team that wanted it more at the end of the day came away with the win.”
Crabtree did like the energetic comeback attempt in the second half, even though the equalizing goal was not to be.
The Boxers will try to build on that half as they return home to face Pacific Lutheran Sunday, Oct. 2.
“It's a team sport,” said Crabtree, “which means it needs to be a team effort. Today we weren't working with one another the entire 90 minutes the way we need to to get results.”
“The important thing is to take some of the positives in terms of chances we did create and regroup for tomorrow.”
Sunday's match kicks off at noon at Lincoln Park Stadium.
