By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director
SALEM, Ore. -- In a classic Northwest Conference battle in which neither team scored for more than 100 minutes, it was a bit of luck that resulted in the University of Puget Sound defeating Willamette University, 1-0, on Sunday, Oct. 18 at Sparks Field.
With the game already into the second overtime period, Puget Sound received a free kick 45 yards from the Willamette goal near the right sideline following a foul on the Bearcats. On the ensuing lengthy restart, the ball sailed into the penalty area and was headed by a Willamette defender. The ball went toward the end line, hit the left post and went into the goal at 104:11.
Puget Sound improved to 9-5 on the season, 6-3 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette fell to 3-10-1, 2-7 in the NWC.
Each team controlled the better part of one half. In the first half, it was Puget Sound in control, with the Loggers earning an 11-3 advantage in total shots, including a 6-2 edge in shots on goal. Much of the play was on the Loggers' offensive half of the field.
UPS put the pressure on quickly with five shots in the first seven minutes, including three high-quality chances.
The Loggers missed the target on three of the early shots, while WU goalkeeper Braydon Calder (Sr., GK, Philomath, OR/Philomath HS) registered two saves. Calder finished the half with five saves on his way tying a season-high with nine saves overall.
WU's top chance of the first half was at 36:56, when Jesse Thompson (Sr., F, Santa Ynez, CA/Santa Ynez HS) made a move past the defense on the right side and took on UPS goalie Daniel Kirsch. Just as Thompson shot, Kirsch nearly smothered the ball, forcing it off Thompson and over the end line for a goal kick.
In the second half, it was Willamette that held charge, outshooting the Loggers 10-6 and placing four of the shots on goal. Maxwell McKee (Fr., M/F, Coronado, CA/Coronado HS), who didn't play in the first half, started the second half for WU and made a big impact.
McKee took shots at 56:57, 57:50 and 61:59. His first shot and the third shot each required saves by Kirsch. The second shot went barely wide of the right post. All three attempts were powerful shots.
Bolstered by the play of McKee and gradually gaining confidence with each attack, the Bearcats began to control large stretches of possession. More than once, WU was able to mount an attack, regain possession and attack for a second time. Even so, the Bearcats did not score a goal.
Puget Sound took two solid shots in the first overtime session, and Calder was equal to the task each time. First, Sam Zisette shot at 96:41 from near the top of the box after receiving a through-pass. Zisette only had Calder to beat, but WU's senior goalie rejected the shot.
Just 34 seconds later at 97:15, Josh Sonico shot from several yards outside the penalty area. His driving shot was saved by Calder.
For the game, UPS attained a 19-14 margin in total shots and an 11-6 difference in shots on goal. Zisette led all players with four shots -- all on target. McKee took three shots for Willamette, including two shots on goal. Tyler Yates (Sr., F, Kailua-Kona, HI/Kealakehe HS) and Jack Elton (Jr., D, Corte Madera, CA/Redwood HS) each took two shots.
The Loggers also held a 5-1 edge in corner kicks. Kirsch was credited with six saves on is way to the shutout win.
Sunday's game was in sharp contrast to the first meeting between the Bearcats and the Loggers this season on Oct. 3 in Tacoma, Washington. In that game, the teams combined for seven goals, with Puget Sound winning, 4-3.
Willamette will be back in action on Friday, Oct. 23 with a game at George Fox University. Kickoff in Newberg, Oregon, is slated for 6 p.m. (PDT).
