By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Willamette University men's soccer team received goals from Maxwell McKee (Sr., M, Coronado, CA/Coronado HS) and Yuki Onishi (So., M, Yokohama, Japan/Yamanashi Gakuin) to defeat Warner Pacific University, 2-1, in an exhibition game for the Bearcats on Sunday, Aug. 19 at the Eastside Timbers Sports Complex. Onishi broke a 1-1 tie by scoring the game-winning goal on a penalty kick with 1:27 left in regulation.
Although the game was an exhibition for Willamette, it was the regular season opener for Warner Pacific, which fell to 0-1. All three goals were scored in the second half.
McKee put in the game's first goal from the top of the six-yard box after PJ Gibson (Sr., D, Carmel, IN/Carmel HS) sent him a pass. McKee sent the ball into the right side of the goal at 54:06. Gibson was credited with an assist.
The Knights tied the score at 81:51 when Enrique Leal hit the net on a 25-yard blast. Fernando Ibanez received an assist on the play.
Onishi provided the game-winning goal from the penalty spot at 88:33. The penalty kick was awarded after Javier Sanchez of WPU received a red card for a foul inside the penalty area.
Warner Pacific outshot Willamette 24-8 in total shots, but each team placed five shots on goal.
Three Willamette goalies combined for four saves. Anthony Richard Bassett (So., GK, Salem, OR/South Salem HS) played 45 minutes and recorded one save. Jake Kagel (So., GK, Concord, CA/De La Salle HS) registered two save in 20 minutes, while Mason Kelliher (Jr., GK, Wellington, N.Z./Wellingfton College) earned one save in 25 minutes. Juan Inzunza played all 90 minutes and made three saves for the Knights.
Willamette will host Multnomah University in another exhibition game for the Bearcats on Wednesday, Aug. 22 at Sparks Field. Game time is set for 7 p.m. (PDT). The Bearcats will play the Alumni Game on Sunday, Aug. 26 at 2 p.m. at Sparks Field, before opening the regular season at Sparks Field on Friday, Aug. 31 against William Jessup University (Calif.) at 1 p.m.