By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
NEWBERG, Ore. -- Josh Schneider (Jr., F, Washougal, WA/Camas HS) scored 2:04 into overtime to send Willamette University to a 2-1 victory over George Fox University on Thursday, April 8, completing an undefeated season for the Bearcats. Willamette concluded its schedule with an 8-0 record, 8-0 in the Northwest Conference. George Fox finished the season at 3-5 overall, 3-5 in the NWC. It is Willamette's first season without a loss in men's soccer.
The winning goal was earned on the first shot of the overtime session. Willamette won the ball near midfield and attacked down the left side. Schneider eventually beat GFU goalkeeper Cole Benton to the ball about seven yards out and to the left of the goal. Schneider shot on the first touch past Benton and into the lower right corner of the net.
Willamette rallied late in the game after George Fox scored first at 38:39. Solek Ashkinos headed the ball into the net at the left post following a corner kick from the right wing. Alan Rincon earned an assist on the play.
GFU remained in front 1-0 at halftime, although WU held a 5-4 advantage in total shots at the break. In the second half, Willamette outshot the Bruins 13-2, but couldn't score on GFU for most of the period.
Jack Moothart (Sr., M, West Linn/West Linn HS) achieved success at 83:39 on a shot from the top of the 18-yard box that hit the right post as the ball went into the goal. The score remained 1-1 at the end of regulation.
"I'm so happy for the team and their commitment to playing attractive, attacking-minded soccer," Willamette Head Men's Soccer Coach Jared Rust said. "I thought we played excellent soccer throughout the match and stayed very consistent and patient, knowing the goal would come. It took us until the 84th minute to find the equalizing goal, but we knew if we could find the first, that the second wouldn't be far behind. We scored that second goal ... and completed our perfect season. I couldn't be happier for our group!"
For the game, Willamette outshot George Fox 19-6 overall and 12-5 in shots on goal. The Bearcats also grabbed a 5-2 margin in corner kicks (4-1 in the second half). WU goalkeeper Pierluca Carnovale (Fy., GK, Seattle, WA/Ballard HS) achieved three saves while playing the first half. Anthony Richard-Bassett (Sr., GK, Salem, OR/South Salem HS) went in goal for WU in the second half and contributed one save. Benton accumulated 10 saves for the Bruins.
"Jack Moothart and Josh Schneider gave us the goals to seal our season's fate," Rust commented. "They were both excellent for the entirety of the match."
Schneider led all players with six total shots and four shots on goal. Sean Kim (Fy., M, Sunnyvale, CA/Homestead HS) of WU added three total shots. Pierce Gallaway (So., M, Carmel, CA/Carmel HS), Ryan Sato (Jr., MF, Sunnyvale, CA/Homestead HS), and Bryan Nicolas (Fy., M, Salem, OR/McKay HS) each provided two shots. Six George Fox players each took one shot.