FOREST GROVE, ORE. -- Matt McDonough gave Pacific University an early lead just 27 seconds into the Boxers game with Willamette University on Saturday, Nov. 4. His goal, coupled with a score by Sean Healy at 17:36, gave Pacific an early 2-0 advantage. Later, when Willamette pulled within 2-1, McDonough provided an insurance goal at 75:32, as the Boxers defeated the Bearcats, 3-1, in a Northwest Conference game. Pacific upped its season record to 10-6-1, 7-6-1 in the NWC. Willamette moved to 1-17-1 overall, 0-13-1 in the NWC, while concluding its season schedule.

Although Pacific held an early lead, the teams finished with similar offensive statistics. The Bruins achieved a 14-13 edge in total shots and an 8-6 margin in shots on goal. Pacific also earned an 8-6 advantage in corner kicks.

Willamette worked to tighten its defense, then battled to create offensive chances. The Bearcats eventually cut the lead to a single goal, with Thomas Cloutier (Jr., D, Beaverton, OR/Westview HS) hitting the net on an eight-yard shot at 56:33. Mikey Rodrigues (Jr., F, Beaverton, OR/Southridge HS), who started the play with a crossing pass, was credited with an assist.

The Boxers prevented the Bearcats from tying the score. Willamette managed six shots -- three on goal -- between the goal by Cloutier and the end of the game. Samuel Hodder (Fr., MF, Albuquerque, NM/Sandia Prep) forced a save by PU goalkeeper Jory Shene on a shot that would have tied the score at 71:36. McDonough scored about four minutes later, as Pacific regained a two-goal lead. In the final 15 minutes, Rodrigues and Cloutier each took a shot on goal, but Shene responded with a pair of saves.

Shene finished with five saves for the Boxers. Willamette goalie Mark Bennett (Fr., Salt Lake City, UT/West HS) also registered five saves. Bennett, who supplied the Bearcats with solid play as a freshman this season, concluded the year with 116 saves.