By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director
SALEM, Ore. -- Yazan Hishmeh (Sr., F, Ventura, CA/Saint Bonaventure HS) scored to give Willamette University a 1-0 lead in the first half, but the visiting Banana Slugs from the University of California, Santa Cruz, rallied for a 3-1 victory over the Bearcats on Friday, Sept. 11 at Sparks Field. UCSC evened its record at 1-1-2, while Willamette fell to 1-2-1.
Hishmeh tallied his first goal of the season on a shot from eight yards just 15:48 into the game. He was assisted on the play by forward Jesse Thompson (Sr., Santa Ynez, CA/Santa Ynez HS) and goalkeeper Braydon Calder (Sr., Philomath, OR/Philomath HS).
The play began with Calder taking a free kick from about 10 yards on Willamette's defensive side of the field. Calder's pass went to Thompson near the top of the UCSC penalty area. Thompson headed it goalward and Hishmeh ran onto the ball.
UC Santa Cruz tied the score at 1-1 on a goal by Rodrigo Diaz-Valdes at 37:27. He shot form 19 yards into the upper right corner of the goal. Conrad Rowling received an assist on the play.
The Banana Slugs surged into a 2-1 lead at 55:30 when Shawn DiRocco scored from 14 yards to the lower right corner after running onto a long through ball. The goal was assisted by Brandon Flores.
Willamette took six shots over the next 31:27, including three requiring saves by UCSC goalkeeper Christian Deguzman. The best opportunity was a header from 10 yards by Hishmeh that was going toward the top of the goal until Deguzman pushed it over the crossbar at 80:20.
Deguzman also saved a shot by Joe Plaster (Fr., D, San Diego,CA/University City HS) at 66:32 and a shot by Tyler Yates (Sr., F, Kailua-Kona, HI/Kealakehe HS) at 85:57.
UCSC scored on a counter attack 11 seconds after the shot by Yates. Samuel Horton recorded the goal on a 15-yard shot from the right side. Jacob Myers Norys earned an assist on the play.
Willamette outshot UC Santa Cruz, 15-8 for the game, including 9-4 in the second half. The Bearcats also held a 7-4 edge in shots on goal with a 3-2 margin in the second half.
Deguzman finished with five saves for UC Santa Cruz. Calder registered one save for the Bearcats.
WU will play at Sparks Field again on Saturday, Sept. 12 against Evergreen State College (Wash.). Game time is set for 7 p.m. (PDT).