NEWBERG, Ore. – The most successful season in Whitworth's short lacrosse history came to an end on Saturday in the semifinals of the Northwest Conference tournament as Willamette pulled away for a 17-12 win over the Pirates at George Fox University.

Whitworth finishes the year 12-6, setting a new team standard for most victories in a season.  Willamette (14-3) will play George Fox (14-3) on Sunday's championship match for the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III tournament.

The teams traded goals through most of a tightly-contested first half.  The first quarter ended 5-5, including back-to-back goals by Sierra Witte to open the Pirates' scoring.

Campbell Vincent gave the Bucs their last lead at 6-5 with a goal just over a minute into the second quarter.  Another Vincent goal made it 8-8 halfway through the second.  The Bearcats then scored three in a row to take a lead they would never lose again.  Caitlin Smith's goal just before halftime got Whitworth within 11-9.

Willamette's defense clamped down in the third period, holding the Pirates to a single early goal by Witte that got the Bucs within 12-10.  The Bearcats scored three straight times again to take a 15-10 lead to the final quarter.  The final goal of the third came with 19 seconds to play and only one second left on the shot clock by Lily Bachiochi.

Willamette scored the first two of the fourth to open an almost insurmountable 17-10 lead.  Whitworth ended a nearly 23-minute scoring drought when Kenison Turner scored with 4:44 to play in the match.

Total shots were equal at 30-30.  Olivia Austin made 11 saves for the Bearcats while Sage Fosnock had nine for the Pirates.

Witte led Whitworth with three goals, while Abby Hahn and Kenzie Hemman each had two goals and an assist.  Hemman also had nine draw controls, two ground balls and a caused turnover.

Bachiochi was one of four Willamette players with three goals apiece.