Puget Sound Scores a Goal in Each Half for a 2-0 Win over Willamette

Nicholas Ballenger (Sr., F, Salem, OR/West Salem HS)
Nicholas Ballenger (Sr., F, Salem, OR/West Salem HS)

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

TACOMA, Wash. -- The University of Puget Sound scored with about four minutes remaining in the first half and just over 13 minutes into the second half, as the Loggers defeated Willamette University, 2-0, in a Northwest Conference men's soccer game on Saturday, Oct. 5. Both teams ended the game at 6-2-2 overall and 3-2-0 in the NWC.

Sean Hamel scored the first goal at 40:55. He was assisted by Luke Murdock. The Loggers maintained their 1-0 lead at halftime.

Puget Sound increased the margin to 2-0 on a goal by Angel Herrera-Flores at 58:07. Cale Spence provided an assist on the play.

Neither team scored the rest of the way, but the Bearcats created three shots in the final 15 minutes. At 76:59, Omar Dominguez Pascasio (Jr., D, Madras, OR/Madras HS) took a header that was saved by Puget Sound's goalkeeper, Ethan Stern-Ellis. Tam Proctor (So., F, Seattle, WA/The Northwest School) shot at 84:18 for the Bearcats, but his attempt was blocked. Mack van der Velde (Jr., D, Voorhout, Neth./Summit HS, Bend, OR) launched the game's final shot at 88:47, but the ball went wide right.

The Loggers outshot the Bearcats 13-6 overall and 3-2 in shots on goal. Puget Sound also held an 8-1 edge in corner kicks, including 6-1 in the first half. Stern-Ellis recorded two saves, while Willamette goalie Mason Kelliher (Sr., GK, Wellington, N.Z./Wellington College) made one save.

For the Bearcats, Yushiro Shiomi (So., D, Kyoto, Japan/TIUA) took two shots. Hamel topped the Loggers with four shots, while Murdock earned three shots during the game.

Willamette is slated to play at Pacific Lutheran University on Sunday, Oct. 6. Game time in Tacoma, Washington, is set for 12 p.m. (PDT).