By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director
SALEM, Ore. -- Sebastian Mortimer (Sr., D/M, Moscow, ID/Moscow HS) scored the game's only goal on a two-yard header less than 15 minutes into the game, and goalkeeper Josh Fuentes (Jr., Salem, OR/South Salem HS) recorded a complete-game shutout, as Willamette University defeated Southwestern University, 1-0, on Saturday, Sept. 5 at Sparks Field. The Bearcats evened their record at 1-1 on the season. Southwestern fell to 0-3.
The scoring play began with a long throw-in from the left side by Jesse Thompson (Sr., F, Santa Ynez, CA/Santa Ynez HS). The ball went to Yazan Hishmeh (Sr., F, Ventura, CA/St. Bonaventure HS), who headed it toward the goal from about seven yards out. Mortimer completed the play with a short header near the left post at 14:35.
WU goalkeeper Josh Fuentes recorded five saves and achieved hist first complete-game shutout for the Bearcats. He previously contributed to two combined goalie shutouts in 2013 and to one combined shutout in 2014.
Southwestern goalie Ryan Benner made three saves for the Pirates. He is 0-1 on the season.
Each team took six shots in the first 45 minutes, with Southwestern gaining a 3-2 edge in shots on goal. The Pirates' best chance of the half was a shot by Jacob Buckley from 13 yards out at 43:04. Buckley was to the right of the goal and placed his powerful shot low and toward the near post. Fuentes, stationed close to the post, moved quickly to record a save.
The Bearcats outshot Southwestern 9-7 in the second half to finish with a 15-13 edge for the game. Each team had two shots on goal in the final 45 minutes.
Benner of SU stopped shots by Royce Romero (Jr./So., D, Waipahu, HI/Punahou School) at 59:25 and Alan Hernandez (So., F, Tigard, OR/Tigard HS) at 89:19. The shot by Hernandez was from several yards outside the penalty area and went toward the left post.
Fuentes kept the Pirates off the scoreboard with saves on attempts by Tanner Irons at 61:33 and Jake Swonke at 81:01.
Southwestern had the game's final scoring opportunity on a corner kick with 15 seconds left. Clay Martin sent the ball near the six-yard box, where it bounced off several players. Benner, who moved upfield from his goalie position for the play, was called for a foul, and time ran out.
The Pirates committed 19 fouls and the Bearcats were whistled for 17 fouls during the game. Three yellow cards were issued -- to Mortimer of Willamette and to Martin and Christian Lopez of Southwestern.
Willamette will play at home again on Sunday, Sept. 6, when the Bearcats host University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh at Sparks Field. Game time is slated for 1 p.m. (PDT).
