It was the opening day of the Northwest Conference schedule in men's soccer for both visiting Willamette University and homestanding Whitman College on Saturday, Sept. 16. The game lasted 90 regulation minutes, plus two 10-minute overtimes, before the Bearcats and the Missionaries ended in a 0-0 tie.
Willamette is 1-4-1 on the season, 0-0-1 in the Northwest Conference. Whitman is 1-0-1 overall, 0-0-1 in the Northwest Conference.
The Missionaries achieved 22 total shots compared to eight total shots for the Bearcats. Willamette, however, limited Whitman to just five shots on goal and withstood WC's offensive attack. Whitman was credited with seven corner kicks during the game, while the Bearcats earned three corner kicks.
Willamette placed only one shot on goal. The accurate shot was taken by Nick Forbes (So., F, Carbondale, CO/CRMS) 7:26 into the first overtime. Whitman goalie Brett Axelrod recorded a save on the play.
The Missionaries produced two shots in the final minute of the second overtime. Cole Sherman's initial shot was blocked by a defender and Jasper Lipton's follow shot went wide.
Mark Bennett (Fr., GK, Salt Lake City, UT/West High School) of Willamette registered 4 saves during the contest. He has recorded shutouts in two of Willamettes' last three games, including a 1-0 home victory over Walla Walla College on Tuesday, Sept. 12.
The Bearcats will play at Whitworth College on Sunday, Sept. 17. Game time is set for 2:30 p.m. (PDT) in Spokane, Wash.