SALEM, ORE. -- The University of California-Santa Cruz scored two first half goals, then pulled away with a goal in the 57th minute and three goals in the final 18 minutes, as the Banana Slugs defeated Willamette University, 6-0, on Sunday, Sept. 2 at Sparks Field. UCSC, ranked #10 in the NSCAA/adidas Preseason Poll for NCAA Division III, improved to 1-1 on the season, while Willamette dropped to 0-1-1.
Anthony Scarlett led UC-Santa Cruz with one goal and two assists. Adam Smarte, who scored the first goal on an 8-yard shot at 13:49, earned an assist on the Banana Slugs' final goal. Harry Abraham tallied the second goal on a 7-yard header at the 30:55 mark, giving UCSC a two-goal lead at the half.
Stefan Clemens increased the lead to 3-0 with a shot from 15-yards at 56:32 and Jeremy Abrams provided the fourth goal at 72:31. Scarlett scored next at 80:07, as he beat WU goalie Scott Klein (Fr., Coeur D'alene, ID/Lake City HS) on a counter-attack and shot into an empty net. Colin Ainsworth completed the scoring with a goal at 82:08.
UC-Santa Cruz achieved a 24-7 edge in shots, including a 15-5 advantage in shots on goal. The Banana Slugs also earned a 5-1 margin in corner kicks.
Klein registered nine saves for the Bearcats. UCSC goalkeeper Jared Wheeler recorded four saves to claim the shutout. Two of his saves came on shots by WU forward Greg Beasley (Camas, WA/Camas HS). A third shot by Beasley was cleared out of the six-yard box by a defender before it reached the goal line.
The Bearcats return to action next weekend in Colorado Spring, Colo., when they will take on Whittier College (Calif.) on Friday, Sept. 7 at 7 p.m. MDT (6 p.m. PDT) and Colorado College on Saturday, Sept. 8 at 2 p.m. MDT (1 p.m. PDT). Overall, the Bearcats will play four consecutive road games. WU's next home game is schedule for Sat., Sept. 22 against Whitworth University.
UC-Santa Cruz 6, Willamette 0 - Box Score
