Written by Mark Colachico, Athletic Communications Writer
SALEM, Ore. -- In a defensive battle between Willamette University and Pacific Lutheran University to open the second half of the Northwest Conference schedule, the Bearcats fell to the visiting Lutes, 2-0, on Saturday, October 17 at Sparks Field.
With the win, Pacific Lutheran improves to 10-4-0 overall and 6-2-0 in NWC play as the Lutes avenge an earlier 1-0 loss at the hands of the Bearcats 13 days ago in Parkland, Washington. On the other hand, Willamette falls to 3-9-1 overall and to 2-6-0 in NWC games, as the Bearcats drop their second straight game by identical scores.
Over the opening 45 minutes of play, the teams combined to register 12 shots (8 for PLU, 4 for WU). The Lutes recorded the game's first four shots before Jesse Thompson (F, Sr., Santa Ynez, CA/Santa Ynez Valley Union HS) tallied back-to-back shots for Willamette via headers that were blocked and went wide of the goal.
The Bearcats' best scoring opportunity in the first half came in the 27th minute when Matt Bauer (D, Sr., Seattle, WA/Seattle Preparatory School) forced PLU goalkeeper Mike Arguello to register his first save of the afternoon on a header straight off a corner kick by Fabian Guerrero (F, Jr., Salem, OR/South Salem HS).
In the second half, Willamette made a substitution between the pipes, as starting net minder Braydon Calder (GK, Sr., Philomath, OR / Philomath HS) was replaced by Josh Fuentes (GK, Jr., Salem, OR/South Salem HS).
Pacific Lutheran quickly peppered Fuentes with four shots in the opening 17-plus minutes that forced the Bearcats' back-up keeper to make three saves.
Later, in the 73rd minute, PLU's Jordan Downing found himself in a one-on-one battle with Fuentes, who made the initial save before the ball bounced directly to Bennett Bugbee. Without any hesitation, Bugbee redirected the rebound into the back of the net to score his fourth goal of the year and put the Lutes in front by a score of 1-0 at the 72:20 mark.
Less than 45 seconds later, Bugbee had a chance to extend Pacific Lutheran's lead when he found himself all alone behind Willamette's defense, but he could not capitalize, sending his shot wide to the right.
Pacific Lutheran continued to apply offensive pressure and nearly added to its lead again three minutes later when Troy-Mikal Oliger's header hit the right post before going over the end line.
Willamette snapped eight unanswered shots by Pacific Lutheran at the 77:06 mark, when Jack Elton (D, Jr., Corte Madera, CA/Redwood HS) took the Bearcats' first shot of the second half, forcing PLU's Arguello to make his second and final save of the afternoon.
In the 84th minute, Pacific Lutheran added an insurance goal when KC Phillips took away an attempted clearance by the Bearcat defense and netted his first goal of the season from 18 yards out to put the Lutes in front 2-0 at the 83:15 mark.
The Bearcats' best scoring chances in the second half came at the 79:17 and 85:12 marks, when Julian Hanlon-Austin (F, Jr., Portland, OR/Grant HS) sent a pair of shots just over the crossbar. The second shot missed by a mere six inches. It was the final scoring chance that Willamette had in the game.
Overall, Pacific Lutheran tallied 19 total shots compared to Willamette's nine. Two of the Bearcats' nine shots were on target. Arguello registered his third shutout of the season for the Lutes.
At the other end of the field, Calder made three saves over the opening 45 minutes, before giving way to Fuentes. In the second half, Fuentes was forced to make a game-high four saves for the Bearcats. Even so, he suffered his second loss of the season.
Willamette will close out its current three-game homestand tomorrow -- Sunday, October 18 -- against the Loggers from the University of Puget Sound. The Northwest Conference action will begin at 2:30 p.m. (PDT) on Sparks Field in Salem.
