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

SALEM, ORE. -- Yazan Hishmeh (Jr., F, Ventura, CA/Saint Bonaventure HS) scored two goals in the first half and converted a penalty kick in the second half, to lead Willamette University to a 4-1 victory over George Fox University on Sunday, Oct. 5 at Sparks Field. WU improved to 7-4-1 overall, 4-1-1 in the Northwest Conference. GFU fell to 2-8-1, 0-6-0 in the NWC.

It was the second hat trick of the season for Hishmeh, who also scored three goals against Multnomah University on Sept. 13.

Hishmeh opened the scoring at 21:31 on a shot from 16 yards. The play began with Noah Walin (So., MF, Makawao, HI/Seabury Hall) in possession of the ball near the top of the 18-yard box. Walin sent a short pass to Hishmeh, who registered his eighth goal of the season.

The Bearcats increased their lead to 2-0 when Hishmeh scored again at 31:53. The goal was earned on a diving header from three yards out, after GFU goalkeeper Ricardo Sotelo slightly deflected a corner kick by Jack Elton (So., D, Corte Madera, CA/Redwood HS).

George Fox tied the game less than two minutes later. Luke Hammer recorded the goal at 33:30 on an 8-yard shot after collecting the ball in a crowd of players. It was Hammer's seventh goal of the year.

Willamette remained in front 2-1 at halftime, while holding an 8-6 edge in total shots. The Bearcats owned a 3-1 advantage in shots on goal at the break.

The score remained the same until Alan Hernandez (Fr., F, Tigard, OR/Tigard HS) made an attacking run with possession down the left wing, and then angled toward the goal in the 78th minute. He shot from 12 yards out, placing the ball in the lower right corner of the goal

Adam Lewis (Sr., MF, Corvallis, OR/Crescent Valley HS/Pomona-Pitzer), who passed to Hernandez to start the play, earned an assist. It was the second assist of the season for Lewis.

Less than two minutes later at 78:59, Hishmeh was tripped by Ariel Herrera in the GFU penalty area, resulting in a penalty kick. Hishmeh converted the kick at 78:59. Herrera received a red card after complaining about the call.

Neither team scored during the remainder of the game, although Hammer took a shot for the Bruins that missed near the left post at 85:34, and Fabian Guerrero (So., F, Salem, OR/South Salem HS) of Willamette hit the post in the closing seconds.

The Bearcats outshot the Bruins, 15-8, and also held a 5-1 margin in shots on goal. Willamette registered nine corner kicks, while George Fox finished with six.

Willamette plays its next five games on the road -- all in Northwest Conference play. The Bearcats will open the string of road games at nearby rival Linfield College on Saturday, Oct. 11 at 2:30 p.m. (PDT). WU also plays at George Fox, Pacific, Pacific Lutheran and Puget Sound, before returning home to take on Whitworth University on Nov. 1.