SPOKANE, Wash. – A last-minute goal from Haleigh Seeling lifted visiting Willamette to a 1-0 win over Whitworth in a Northwest Conference women's soccer battle on Sunday at Whitworth Soccer Field.
The Pirates (3-5-0, 2-4 NWC) had multiple high-quality looks to score the game-winner but were unable to find the back of the net. The Bearcats moved to 5-4 overall, 3-4.
Seeling's game-winning goal came with just 30 seconds left in the match. Erica Stotts lofted a long pass downfield, where Seeling got behind the defense for a one-on-one opportunity. Whitworth goalkeeper Karlee Roderick got a finger on the shot, but not enough to push it wide.
The Bucs were held off the scoreboard though not for a lack of chances. Hailey Herboth had a header deflect off the crossbar just before halftime. Early in the second half, Emma Ellerd fired an open shot just high. Kayla Santa Monica had a one-on-one opportunity in the 69th minute, but her shot went wide. After earning a free kick just outside the box in the 77th minute, Katherine Kent sent a shot toward net but couldn't convert. Another opportunity from Ellerd with five minutes left sailed wide.
The Pirates finished the match with a 13-12 advantage in shots. Willamette had a 4-3 edge in shots on goal, and five of their 12 total shots came in the final 10 minutes of play.
Ayanna Tobeck led the Bucs with three shots on goal, all coming in the first half. Ellerd and Lily Cardenas added two shots apiece. Roderick made three saves in net.
Natalie Rodriquez-De La Torre led the Bearcats with three shots. Isabella Arias-Lasalde made three saves in 65 minutes of play. Logan Hellyar finished the match at goalkeeper and was not forced to make a save.
The Whitworth women will visit Puget Sound and Pacific Lutheran next weekend.
