EUGENE, Ore.  – The Bushnell women's soccer team made a statement on Thursday, defeating Willamette University for the first time in school history with a dominant 4-1 victory.
 
The Bearcats came into the contest 9-0 all-time against the Beacons, having allowed just two goals, dating back to the first meeting in 2009. Bushnell scored twice in the first 23 minutes before rolling to the win.
 
All four goals were first-time strikes for their scorers including three from players making their debut with the Beacons.
 
Mia Morales was first, cleaning up a rebound off a Stephanie Llanos score to punch home an essential empty-netter for the early lead, just four minutes into the game.
 
The eventual game winner was netted in the 23rd minute when sophomore Leslie Monjaras collected an errant pass by the Bearcat back line, firing home a strike from 20-yards out.   
 
Willamette avoided the shutout in the 32nd minute on a similar play when Claire Warthen jumped a passing lane in the back field, settled, and finding the back of the net from just outside the 18-yard box.  
 
Bushnell took a 2-1 lead into the second half and broke through with two more late goals. Addy Morgan scored an unassisted goal in the 70th minute and within five minutes the Beacons would make it 4-1 as Ohu Miles punched home a goal off a cross from Elidia Cervantes.
 
"It wasn't a technically clean game that we put together," said third-year head coach Halle Meadows, "and Willamette out-played us in regard to possession. But we were able to put the ball in the back of the net today and that really helped us out. Four different goal scorers with two of them being freshman, including a absolute banger volley goal from Addy Morgan are what makes us coaches excited for the upcoming season."
 
Morgan added, "I thought today was a great starting point for the season. We know the baseline and now we will only go up from here. Being able to score my first collegiate goal and have my teammates support was the best feeling. This team has great chemistry and will only improve from here."
 
As well as the offense played on Thursday, the defensive effort was also up to the take with a bend-but-don't-break performance that saw Ana Agusto collected five saves in goal with WU out-shooting Bushnell 13-12.
 
Senior Center Back Lorelai Murphy said, "As a team we are very proud of the result from today's game. While we recognize the improvements that need to be made, we are prepared to make adjustments and come out hard against Pacific in our next game."
 
UP NEXT: Bushnell remains home for a Sunday evening contest against Pacific University at 5:00 pm. The Boxers are another team who has never lost to the Beacons, holding a 4-0-1 record all-time.