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

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University senior defender Etienne Galbreath (Portland, OR/Grant HS) scored the winning goal with 4:05 remaining, as the Bearcats defeated Pacific University, 3-2, in a Northwest Conference men's soccer game on Saturday, Sept. 29. Galbreath scored on a 3-yard header at the near post on a corner kick.

The win at Sparks Field allowed Willamette to improve its record to 4-5-1 overall, 1-3-1 in the NWC. Pacific fell to 3-7-0 on the season, 1-4-0 in the NWC.

All five goals scored during the game were earned on headers following set plays.

Willamette struck first at 23:50 when Yazan Hishmeh (Fr., F, Ventura, CA/Saint Bonaventure HS) headed in a lengthy throw taken by Mike McGrew (Sr., MF, Portland, OR/Grant HS) from the right side of the field. It was the fourth goal of the season for Hishmeh.

The Bearcats maintained their 1-0 lead throughout the remainder of the first half. Pacific built an 11-7 advantage in total shots over the first 45 minutes, but WU owned a 3-2 margin in shots on goal.

Early in the second half, Pacific had a chance to tie the game when Jorge Mandujano blasted a powerful, slightly rising shot that WU goalkeeper Brayden Calder (Fr., Philomath, OR/Philomath HS) tipped over the crossbar.

Two free kicks in the offensive half of the field over the next eight minutes provided the opportunity for the Boxers to tie the game and then take a 2-1 lead.

Mandujano took both restarts and earned an assist on each play. His lengthy free kick from 45 yards out was headed into the goal by Alex Arrington at 55:53. Just over three minutes later at 59:06, Mandujano lined up over the ball for a mid-range attacking free kick. He sent the ball into the WU penalty area, where Nick Rudella scored on a header from 12 yards out.

Rudella's header gave Pacific a 16-7 overall advantage in shots, including 5-0 in the second half. Over the remainder of the game, however, Willamette outshot Pacific, 11-4.

The tying goal by the Bearcats was achieved at 66:02 on a header by Adam Lewis (So., MF, Corvallis, OR/Crescent Valley HS/Pomona-Pitzer) from 5 yards out near the left post. The header followed a free kick from the right side by Trevor Jensen (Jr., MF, Chula Vista, CA/Bonita Vista HS).

A header by Austin Jacobson (Fr., MF, Salem, OR/South Salem HS) started the sequence that led to Willamette's winning goal.

Pacific goalkeeper Michael Summers saved the shot by Jacobson, but the ball went out of bounds. Jacobson took the ensuing corner kick from the left side of the field and found Galbreath at the near post. Summers made his way across the goal line, but couldn't get there before Galbreath scored at 85:55.

The Boxers had several chances to send the ball into the attacking penalty area in the closing minutes, including a throw-in with just seconds remaining. The ball bounced off several players just outside the 6-yard box -- but no one gained control -- before Calder pounced on it with two seconds left.

For the game, Pacific owned a 20-18 edge in total shots, but Willamette claimed a 9-7 margin in shots on goal. Pacific attained six corner kicks, while Willamette took two.

The Bearcats will play at home again on Sunday, Sept. 30 against George Fox University. Game time is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. (PDT).