By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. - Willamette University rallied from a 1-0 halftime deficit to defeat Warner Pacific University, 2-1 in overtime, during an exhibition game for the Bearcats on Thursday, Sept. 26 at Sparks Field. Mack van der Velde (Sr., D, Voorhout, Neth./Summit HS, Bend, OR) scored the game-winning goal with 5:14 left in the first overtime. The game counted for Warner Pacific, which competes in the NAIA and the Cascade Collegiate Conference. The Knights fell to 0-1 on the season. Willamette competes in NCAA Division III and the Northwest Conference.
Warner Pacific scored the only goal of the first half just under 10 minutes into the game. The goal was scored by Nick Evans on a header from the top of the 18-yard box into the upper left corner of the net. Brandon Medrano received an assist on the play. The Bearcats had a chance to equalize at 40:30 when WPU goalkeeper Luis Hernandez was called for a foul in the penalty area. The penalty shot by Sebastian Ruelas (Sr., F/M, Salem, OR/South Salem HS/Chemeketa CC) hit the crossbar and bounced back into play. The Knights held a 9-2 edge in total shots and a 2-1 margin in shots on goal at halftime.
The Bearcats outplayed the Knights for big stretches in the second half. Willamette outshot Warner Pacific 11-3 over the second 45 minutes and then gained a 3-0 advantage during the overtime session. For the game, WU achieved an 18-12 margin in total shots, including a 9-4 edge in shots on goal.
Ryan Sato (Sr., MF, Sunnyvale, CA/Homestead HS) scored the tying goal for the Bearcats at 51:34. His header from nine yards out near the post went into the left corner of the goal. The play began with a short through-pass by Jett Starr (So., M, Portland, OR/Cleveland HS) at the top of the penalty area, leading to a header flick by Luke Varav (Fy., M/F, Newbury Park, CA/Newbury Park HS). Sato finished the play by slotting the ball into the net. Neither team scored during the remainder of regulation time.
In the overtime period, Willamette registered two shots in the first three minutes. Pierce Gallaway (Jr., M, Carmel, CA/Carmel HS) took a shot at 92:22 and Edwin Ortiz (Jr., M/F, Salem, OR/North Salem HS) shot for the Bearcats at 93:00. Gallaway's shot hit the side-netting.
The winning play began with a cross by Sean Kim (So., M, Sunnyvale, CA/Homestead HS) from the right side of the penalty area. The ball went to van der Velde, who was eight yards out near the right post. He shot the ball into the lower right corner of the goal at 94:46.
Hernandez was in goal for the entire game for WPU and earned seven saves. Alexander Tapia (Fy., GK, San Mateo, CA/Aragon HS/Canada College) played the first 58:56 in goal for Willamette and achieved two saves. Pierluca Carnovale (Fy., GK, Seattle, WA/Ballard HS) played the final 35:50 for the Bearcats. Carnovale did not have to record a save.
Willamette will play an exhibition game against Corban University on Saturday, Aug. 28 at Sparks Field. Game time is set for 12 p.m. (PDT). The Bearcats will open the regular season on Friday, Sept. 3 in San Antonio, Texas, against Southwestern University (Texas) in a neutral-site game at Trinity University.