By Daniel Carroll, Graduate Student Worker and Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University recorded one goal in each half to defeat George Fox University, 2-0, in a Northwest Conference men's soccer game on Saturday, Oct. 25 at Sparks Field. The Bearcats claimed the victory on the strength of goals by Ivan Gutierrez (Sr., MF, Stayton, OR/Cathedral HS) and Erik Kaufman's (Fr., F, Portland, OR/Grant HS).

Gutierrez scored his second goal of the season at 25:03, on a brilliant 17-yard shot to the upper right corner of the Bruins' net. Nick Forbes (Sr., F, Carbondale, CO/Colorado Rocky Mountain School) received an assist. The goal by Gutierrez remained the only score at halftime.

Kaufman increased WU's lead to 2-0 by finishing off a two-on-one effort in the 53rd minute. Casey Dineen (Jr., MF, Portland, OR/Jesuit HS) started the play. GFU goalie Jake Maguire attempted to prevent Dineen from scoring or sending a pass to Kaufman, but the ball was only partially deflected. Kaufman sent a slow roller into the empty net at 52:41. It was Kaufman's team-leading sixth goal of the year.

The Bearcats are now 3-10-1, 2-7-1 in the NWC. The loss dropped George Fox to an overall record of 2-11-3, 1-7-2 in the NWC.

Willamette's defense did the rest, as the Bearcats swept the season series from the Bruins with a pair of shutout wins. The 'Cat also defeated GFU 2-0 on Sept. 27 in Newberg, Ore.

Goalkeeper Mark Bennett (Jr., Salt Lake City, UT/West HS) of Willamette made eight saves to secure the clean sheet. His efforts stymied the Bruins, who outshot the Bearcats, 18-11, including an 8-5 edge in shots on goal.

Maguire earned three saves for George Fox. Tim Palmer led the Bruins with six shots, as he placed four shots on target. GFU claimed a 5-1 edge in corner kicks during the first half, but WU earned the only two corner kicks of the second half.

The Bearcats are off until Saturday, Nov. 1, when they will play at Sparks Field against Pacific Lutheran University. Game time is slated for 1:30 p.m. (PDT).