By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director

SALEM, Ore. -- It was in the 73rd minute of the men's soccer game between Willamette University and Pacific University on Sept. 24. The Bearcats held a slim 1-0 lead, when a foul was called on a Willamette player inside the penalty area, setting up a penalty kick for the Boxers. Pacific's Diego Lopes took the kick and sent the ball to the goalkeeper's right.

Willamette goalie Josh Fuentes (Sr., GK, Salem, OR/South Salem HS) dove to his right and deflected the shot away from the goal.

The save by Fuentes was a key play in the game. Willamette held on for a 1-0 win.

Including that victory, the Bearcats have won four of their last five games heading into match-ups on the road against Pacific Lutheran University on Saturday, Oct. 15, and against University of Puget Sound on Sunday, Oct. 16. The Bearcats are 7-3 overall and are in second place in the Northwest Conference with a 5-2 record.

Fuentes is one reason the Bearcats are off to a great start. He has started all 10 games and has played 843 minutes in goal. He has earned three solo shutouts and two shared shutouts. His goals against average is a solid 0.85, which ties him for first in the NWC.

He leads the NWC with a .833 save percentage. He has registered 40 saves, while allowing just eight goals.

"Josh has grown tremendously in the last two years," Willamette Head Coach Lloyd Fobi said. "The position of goalkeeper means sometimes you have to wait your turn. He played his first three years behind Braydon Calder ('16), who was named First Team All-Northwest Conferece in 2015. By the end of his junior season, Josh made a legitimate case to be the starter.

"He got his chance and has impressed ever since," Fobi continued. "We are happy when our guys take their moments of adversity and turn them into successes. Josh did just that."

During his career at Willamette, Fuentes has played in 20 games and 1242 minutes. He has a 1.16 career goals against average and has recorded 61 saves. His career totals also include four solo shutouts and six combined shutouts. Sixteen of his 20 appearances have been as a junior and a senior.

"Josh has instilled a confidence in the guys on and off the field that he can win games for them," Fobi noted. "I can tell you he won our Pacific game at home, the Pacific Lutheran game at home, the Linfield game on the road, for us. In those three games, he produced the stuff of legends as a goalkeeper."

Fuentes has been a difference maker for the Bearcats. His quality performances have made him a valuable player for Willamette this season.

"As a goalkeeper, to be considered top class you have to win games by your performance for your team," Fobi said. "We are very proud of him."

Over the course of his career with the Bearcats, Fuentes has learned from Calder and from the Willamette coaches. He has improved as a player.

"He has taken the advice and coaching of Goalkeeper Coach Salvador Munoz and blended it with his own hard work," Fobi said.

Individual plays, such as the penalty kick save against Pacific, stand out. They are plays that coaches and fans remember.

"Josh has been brilliant in his command of his box, and his save-making is outstanding," Fobi commented. "One moment that comes to mind is a point-blank save versus Eddie Na of PLU, who is arguably the best player in the conference and leads the NWC in goals. The save kept us in the game. We eventually won 2-0, but that save lifted the team."