By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
McMINNVILLE, Ore. -- Willamette University scored three goals in the first 20 minutes against Linfield University on Saturday, Oct. 9 at the Linfield Soccer Complex. The goal-scoring surge gave Willamette a 3-0 halftime lead. The Bearcats tacked on a goal with just under 15 minutes remaining in the game on their way to a 4-0 victory over the Wildcats in Northwest Conference men's soccer action.
"We always know this rivalry match can come back to haunt if we don't play to our standard," Willamette Head Men's Soccer Coach Sam Adelman commented. "I thought today we came in really focused and took care of business. Everyone entered the match and handled themselves professionally. I was really pleased with how we performed today."
The Bearcats improved to 7-3-0 overall, 5-2-0 in the NWC. Linfield slipped to 1-9-1 on the season, 0-6-1 in the NWC. Willamette holds second place in the NWC standings with 15 points (three for each win). Pacific Lutheran University leads the NWC with a 6-1-0 conference record and 18 points.
Willamette will take on Pacific Lutheran in Tacoma, Washington, on Saturday, Oct. 16. Game time is set for 2:30 p.m. (PDT).
Pierce Gallaway (Jr., M, Carmel, CA/Carmel HS) started the scoring against Linfield at the 9:55 mark. He shot the ball into the net after a failed clearing attempt by the Wildcats on a Willamette corner kick.
Willamette's lead reached 2-0 at 11:08 on a goal by Sean Kim (So., F, Sunnyvale, CA/Homestead HS) with an assist from Jack Moothart (Sr., D, West Linn/West Linn HS). Kim shot from just outside the 18-yard box and sent the ball into the lower right corner of the net. The Bearcats scored their third goal at 19:42 as Mack van der Velde put in a follow shot from the right side.
The Bearcats outshot the Wildcats, 18-1, in the first half, and finished the game with a 31-2 advantage in total shots. Willamette held a 15-1 margin in shots on target and achieved a 9-1 margin in corner kicks.
Omar Dominguez Pascasio (Sr., D, Madras, OR/Madras HS) tallied Willamette's final goal at 76:50. He scored shortly after a corner kick.
Linfield goalie Julian Inches earned 11 saves for the Wildcats. WU starting goalkeeper Pierluca Carnovale (So., GK, Seattle, WA/Ballard HS) played 58:50 in goal and did not have to record a save. Alexander Tapia (Fy., GK, San Mateo, CA/Aragon HS) registered one save for the Willamette while playing the final 31:10 to share the shutout.
Gallaway, Kim, and van der Velde are all tied with Max Berner-Hays (Sr., D, Seattle, WA/Ballard HS) for the WU goal-scoring lead with three goals apiece. Berner-Hays and Kim are tied for first on the team with eight total points (3 goals, 2 assists).