Bearcats Open Season with 2-1 Victory Over Trinity Lutheran

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

EVERETT, WASH. -- Willamette University received a goal and an assist from Mike McGrew (Jr., MF, Portland, OR/Grant HS) on Friday, Sept. 2, as the Bearcats opened the 2011 season with a 2-1 road win against Trinity Lutheran College. All of the scoring was in the first half, as WU started the year with a 1-0 record and Trinity fell to 2-2 on the season.

Willamette scored first at 8:38 on a goal by Mike McGrew (Jr., MF, Portland, OR/Grant HS) with an assist from Adan Vazquez (So., F, Woodburn, OR/Woodburn HS).

Trinity Lutheran tied the game just over seven minutes later, with a goal scored on a 25-yard shot by Jesus Torres at 14:52.

Willamette took the lead for good at 32:40. Erik Kaufman (Jr., F, Portland, OR/Grant HS) scored the go-ahead goal and was assisted by Kevin Martin (So., D, Cardiff, CA/Francis Parker School) and by McGrew.

It was Kaufman's first goal since the 2009 season. He missed all of the 2010 season following a knee injury in the spring of 2010. Kaufman now has 16 career goals for the Bearcats.

Alfredo Zuniga (Sr., GK, Salem, OR/South Salem HS) earned the goalkeeping victory for WU. He registered six saves. Trinity Lutheran goalie Luis Godinez made three saves.

Trinity Lutheran held a 21-11 advantage in shots, but achieved a much slimmer 7-5 edge in shots on goal. Many of the shots taken by the Eagles were from long range. Carlos Camacho from TLC led all players with five shots. McGrew and Trevor Jensen (So., MF, Chula Vista, CA/Bonita Vista HS) each took three shots for Willamette.

The Bearcats will play on Saturday, Sept. 3 at Northwest University in Kirkland, Wash. Game time is set for 3 p.m. (PDT).