SALEM: Senior Anne Merten had three goals and freshman Laura Uhlmansiek notched four assists as the Willamette University women’s soccer team beat the Whitworth Pirates, 5-1, in a Northwest Conference game Saturday afternoon.

In avenging the only loss they suffered this season, the No. 9 ranked Bearcats (14-1-2, 9-1-2) scored early when Jessica Lammers headed in the first of her two goals off a corner kick from Uhlmansiek just 4:30 into the game.

After Whitworth’s Katy Jones tied the game (assist to Heather Sale), Lammers again headed in a cross from Uhlmansiek to give the Bearcats a 2-1 lead.

Merten (pictured above) scored the first of her goals at the 36-minute mark when Uhlmansiek knocked another cross right to Merten’s feet. They connected again 10 minutes into the second half when Merten trickled in a shot. Uhlmansiek and Joey Muchlinski got credit for assists.

Merten got her hat trick at the 61-minute mark, converting a pass from Nicole Dahl into her 12th goal of the season.

Whitworth, ranked 23rd in the country, fell to 12-5 overall, 7-5 in the NWC.

Kari Woody had nine saves for Willamette.

Willamette hosts Whitman Sunday afternoon at 11 am at Sparks field