SALEM, ORE. -- The University of the Fraser Valley (Canada) defeated Willamette University in an exhibition game, 5-1, on Friday, Aug. 24 at Sparks Field. Fraser Valley scored the first goal before the Bearcats tied the score at 1-1. Fraser Valley tallied the final four goals of the game.
Most of Willamette's starters played only the first third of the match. When the majority of the starters left, the Bearcats and the Cascades were tied 0-0, with Willamette having amassed most of the possession and offensive chances.
The exhibition game provided an opportunity for Head Coach Lloyd Fobi to play all of the healthy Bearcats on the overall roster.
Connor MacMillan registered the first goal for Fraser Valley. Willamette equalized the score on a goal by Eric Spresser (Fr., D/MF, Pleasant Hill, OR/Pleasant Hill HS), who shot from four yards near the right post. Mike McGrew (Sr., MF, Portland, OR/Grant HS) assisted on the play with a cross from 24 yards out on the left side of the field.
Fraser Valley moved in front 2-1 on a goal by Koby Bryne.
The shot by Bryne was the second on a counter-attack, with WU goalie Brayden Calder (Fr., Philomath, OR/Philomath HS) recording a nifty save on a shot at the top of the penalty box to open the sequence. Bryne hauled in the rebound and shot from 23 yards into the lower right corner of the net.
Justin Sekhon provided the Cascades with their third goal on a header from five yards. Colton O'Neill assisted on the play.
The next goal for Fraser Valley was scored on a corner kick. MacMillan took the corner and sent the ball toward the far post. Dalibor Plavisc tapped in the ball from two yards out.
Fraser Valley completed the scoring with a 45-yard power shot by Ryan Liddiard, who placed the ball inside the right post.
Willamette will begin the regular season on Friday, Aug. 31 against Mississippi College in a neutral-site game in San Antonio, Texas. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. CDT/3:30 p.m. PDT. The Bearcats will also play at Southwestern University on Sept. 1 and at Trinity University on Sept. 3 to complete the three-game road trip.
The home opener for WU is set for Saturday, Sept. 8 against Northwest University. Game time at Sparks Field is slated for 6 p.m. (PDT).
Mike McGrew started the game and earned an assist on Willamette's goal.
