SALEM, Ore. -- Through the first 11 games of the season, the Lewis & Clark Pioneers soccer team hadn't played an overtime contest, and even leading into the beginning of last weekend, they had only played one. On Sunday afternoon at Sparks Field, the Pios played their fourth straight overtime match, and fifth overall, losing in the 104th minute 1-0 to the Willamette Bearcats.

Entering Sunday, the Pioneers were 3-0-1 in overtime matches, including three straight victories. In those wins, Lewis & Clark had allowed a combined four overtime shots by its opponents. Against Willamette, the Bearcats had four tries in the OT periods, scoring on the final try when Kelsey Walker was awarded a penalty kick and scored her fifth goal of the season.

"We are all really disappointed with the loss," said Lewis & Clark junior Isobel Fikso, who had a match-high five shots, three on-goal. "There was a lot on the line in terms of standings. It's disappointing to lose on a penalty kick, but we win as a team and lose as a team, and when it comes down to it, we have to score goals to win games."

Lewis & Clark owned a 17-15 advantage in shots in the match, taking more shots on-goal than Willamette 7-3. Senior Anna Thorndike had three of the Pios' shots in-frame, taking four total shots along with Megan Ratfield.

After missing high in the 11th minute, Thorndike forced saves by Willamette's Emily Sewall in the 69th, 78th and 85th minutes. Ratfield's only on-goal shot was a header in the 82nd minute.

The Pios took 11 of their 17 shots from the 58th minute to the end of regulation.

McKenzie Andringa and Walker took a team-high three shots for Willamette.

Meridith Greer and Walker missed high for Willamette in the first overtime period, as did Lewis & Clark senior Kylie Carera, but neither team could score before Walker ended the game in the second overtime.

Lewis & Clark goalkeeper Sandra Alvarenga, who was in net for the Pios' three prior overtime victories, made two saves on the three shots she faced.

"Our defense was really strong and our center-mids did a good job, but we just couldn't find the back of the net," said Fikso. "Alvarenga really stood out to me today. She did a great job in the net.

"We're definitely ready to go into our last weekend flying and get some goals to end on a positive note."

The win moves Willamette (8-8-2; 8-5-1 NWC) four points ahead of Linfield for third place in the Northwest Conference with two regular season games remaining. Lewis & Clark fell behind Linfield by two points for fourth place with the loss.

Lewis & Clark (10-7-1; 6-7-1) closes out the regular season next weekend with road matches at Whitworth and Whitman on Nov. 7 and 8.