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

SALEM, ORE. -- In a battle of nearby Northwest Conference rivals on Saturday, Nov 3, Willamette University scored two goals in the first half before Linfield tied the game with goals at 50:52 and 52:42. Willamette countered with two quick goals of its own at 67:27 and 68:55 to take charge of the game in a 4-3 victory over the Wildcats at Sparks Field.

Linfield added a third goal at 75:26, but didn't score an equalizer, as Willamette held on for the win. All three of Linfield's goals were tallied by Domenico Del Prete for a hat trick. Mike McGrew (Sr., MF, Portland, OR/Grant HS) registered three assists for WU.

Willamette concluded its season at 10-7-2 for the Bearcats' first winning season (above .500) since going 10-8-2 in 2000. The Bearcats went 7-5-2 in the Northwest Conference and finished in fourth place with 23 points. Linfield ended its season at 7-11-0 overall, 5-9-0 (6th place) in the NWC.

The Bearcats outshot Linfield 14-6 in the first half and used the advantage to built a 2-0 lead. Tyler Yates (Fr., F, Kailua-Kona, HI/Kealakehe HS) opened the scoring at 36:10 on a 15-yard shot to the lower left corner of the goal. McGrew assisted on the play.

Austin Jacobson (Fr., MF, Salem, OR/South Salem, HS) tallied the second goal at 43:11 when he scored from 13 yards out after his first shot was saved by Linfield goalkeeper Grant Loriaux.

Del Prete's first two goals came in rapid succession as Linfield got back in the game. The first goal was scored on a 10-yard shot to the left corner of the net. Jake Baker set up the play with a nifty through pass. The next goal, scored 1:50 later, was earned after Del Prete avoided WU goalkeeper Bradley Eckerson (Sr., Portland, OR/Cleveland HS) near the top of the penalty area and shot into an empty net.

Willamette regained an edge in the 68th minute as Kevin Martin (Jr., D, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA/Francis Parker School) put in a 10-yard shot after a long throw-in by McGrew. The shot beat Scott Goodman, who took over in goal for Linfield at the start of the second half.

Just 1:28 later, McGrew earned another assist when his pass led to a 22-yard blast to the lower left corner of the goal by Yazan Hishmeh (Fr., F, Ventura, CA/Saint Bonaventure HS).

Del Prete completed his hat trick by following his own shot in the 76th minute. Eckerson saved the initial scoring attempt, but Del Prete was able to follow-up from close range to score the goal.

The Wildcats had several good offensive possessions during the remainder of the game, but were unable to create any shots. Meanwhile, Willamette managed four more shots, including a shot by Adan Vazquez (Jr., F, Woodburn, OR/Woodburn HS) that hit the post at 81:00.

Hishmeh had an excellent chance to score at 83:29, but placed his shot over the goal from seven yards out while Goodman was sprawled out on the turf after saving a shot by Vazquez.

Willamette outshot Linfield 27-12 overall and held a 13-6 advantage in shots on goal. The Bearcats also took six corner kicks, while the Wildcats finished with four.

Eckerson registered three saves to attain the win. Loriaux made five saves for Linfield in the first half and Goodman earned three saves in the second half.

Prior to the game, Willamette honored its five seniors: Eckerson, Etienne Galbreath (D, Portland, OR/Grant HS), Erik Kaufman (F, Portland, OR/Grant HS), McGrew and Patrick Yagi (D, Sammamish, WA/Eastlake HS).