By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University trailed George Fox University 1-0 in the first half, but the Bearcats tied the game before halftime and dominated the second half of play, in a 4-2 win over the Bruins on Sunday, Oct. 17 at Sparks Field. WU built a 4-1 lead before the Bruins tallied the game's last goal in the final minute.

The Bearcats received goals from Ivan Gutierrez (Sr., MF, Stayton, OR/Cathedral Prep), Luke Lagattuta (Sr., MF/D, Albuquerque, NM/Highland High School), Andrew Monbouquette (Sr., MF, Omaha, NE/Omaha Central HS) and Erik Kaufman (So., F, Portland, OR/Grant HS). Brian Story and Stephen Gipson scored goals for George Fox.

WU improved to 4-10 on the season. The Bearcats are 3-6 in the Northwest Conference. GFU dropped to 4-10 overall, 1-8 in the NWC.

The Bruins scored first at 35:55, with Brian Story provided the goal. His six-yard header sent the ball into the lower left corner of the net. Kyle Story earned an assist after crossing the ball following a short corner kick.

Willamette was outshot by GFU, 6-2, in the first half, but the Bearcats tied the score before the break. Tom Farr (So., MF, Seattle, WA/Ballard HS) set up the goal with a pass from the right side that got past George Fox goalkeeper Jake Maguire. The ball continued on its path to Gutierrez, who shot into an empty net from two yards.

In the second half, WU achieved a 10-5 edge in total shots. The pressure paid off at 55:35 when Lagattuta provided the go-ahead goal.

Pete Kline (Jr., D, Cheyenne, WY/Cheyenne Central HS) started the play with a lengthy restart from near midfield. The pass was chested down by Etienne Galbreath (Fr., F, Portland, OR/Grant HS), who was several yards inside the penalty area. Galbreath's chest pass went right to the feet of Lagattuta, who sent a powerful, low shot into the net from 17 yards out. The Bearcats led, 2-1.

A similar goal from the run of play gave Willamette a 3-1 lead about 12 minutes later at 67:33. Kline provided the first pass with a long ball from inside WU's half of the field. As with Lagattuta's goal, the pass was on target for Galbreath. This time, Galbreath trapped the ball at the top of the box, then sent a quick pass to Monbouquette on the right side. Monbouquette gathered in the ball, then blasted a shot into the goal.

Kline and Galbreath each earned a pair of assists for their work in creating the goals by Lagattuta and Monbouquette. Kline leads the Bearcats with five assists this season.

WU increased the advantage to 4-1 on Kaufman's team-leading fifth goal of the season at 77:33. He sent the ball past Maguire on a 12-yard shot from several yards outside the right post into the lower left corner. Brendan Dineen (So., D, Portland, OR/Grant HS) received an assist after slotting through a pass to Kaufman to set up the goal.

The Bruins completed the game's scoring at 89:25 on a goal by Stephen Gipson. He hit the net on a shot from 16 yards into the lower right corner. Kane Ransom earned an assist on the play.

Willamette ended the afternoon with a 12-11 edge in total shots, including 5-4 in shots on goal. WU goalkeeper Alfredo Zuniga (So., Salem, OR/South Salem HS) recorded his first collegiate win for the Bearcats in his first start. Zuniga recorded two saves.

The Bearcats were called for offside 11 times, while the Bruins did not commit an offside violation. GFU did pick up 16 fouls, compared to just three on Willamette. The Bruins played the final 29:15 short one man after Keith Marshall was sent off for his second serious contact foul.

Up next for Willamette is a Northwest Conference game at the University of Puget Sound on Saturday, Oct. 24. Game time in Tacoma, Wash., is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. (PDT).