TACOMA, WASH. -- Freshman forward Kyle Benson scored a hat trick in the second half for the University of Puget Sound, as the Loggers pulled away from a 0-0 halftime tie to defeat visiting Willamette University, 5-0, in a Northwest Conference game on Sunday, Sept. 16. The offensive surge by Puget Sound in the second half improved UPS to 6-0, 1-0 in the NWC. Willamette fell to 2-3-1, 0-2 in the NWC.
The Loggers, ranked 12th in the D3Kicks.com NCAA Division III Poll, outshot the upset-minded Bearcats 19-4 in the first half, but WU goalie Scott Klein (Fr., Coeur D'alene, Idaho/Lake City HS) registered seven saves to keep the game scoreless. The Loggers outshot the Bearcats 15-3 in the second half and recorded all of their goals after 50 minutes of scoreless action.
Mark Conrad tallied the first goal on an assist from Scott Blanchet at 50:41. The Loggers increased their lead to 2-0 on a penalty kick goal by Greg Swanson just a few minutes later at 54:21.
Benson tallied the final three goals to record his hat trick. His first goal was at 58:49, as he took a pass from Conrad and one-timed the ball into the net. He added the second goal at 67:33 on an assist from Zach Semago. Benson's final goal came at 71:52 on a header. Lee Daniel assisted on the play.
UPS finished the game with a 34-7 edge in shots, including a 16-2 margin in shots on goal. The only WU player with more than one shot was Trevor Jones (Sr., MF, Portland, OR/Grant HS), who took two shots at UPS goalie Pete Van Sant. Michael Rodrigues (Sr., MF, Beaverton, OR/Southridge HS) and Conor Costigan (Fr., MF, Hillsboro, OR/Glencoe HS) each launched one shot on goal for the Bearcats.
Van Sant made two saves while recording the shutout. Klein accumulated 10 saves for Willamette. UPS was called for seven offside violations, but the Loggers gained an 8-3 advantage in corner kicks.
Willamette will host Whitworth University on Saturday, Sept. 22 in a Northwest Conference match at Sparks Field. Game time is set for 2:30 p.m. (PDT).
University of Puget Sound 5, Willamette University 0
