By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director
NEWBERG, Ore. -- Willamette University registered 34 shots against George Fox University, but had to settle for a 3-3 tie in two overtimes on Friday, Oct. 23 in men's soccer action at the Austin Sports Complex. GFU tied the game with a goal in the final minute of regulation and neither team scored during the overtime sessions.
The Bearcats moved to 3-10-2 on the season, 2-7-1 in the Northwest Conference. The Bruins, who took 19 shots on the night, went to 6-8-2 overall, 3-5-2 in the NWC.
George Fox managed to get a tie despite Willamette's sizable advantage in total shots. Goalkeeper Ricardo Sotelo recorded 10 saves. In addition, two shots by Maxwell McKee (Fr., M/F, Coronado, CA/Coronado HS) of Willamette hit the crossbar and several other shots by the Bearcats barely missed the net.
Liam Main (So., D, San Francisco, CA/Marin Academy) put the Bearcats up 1-0 on a goal at 31:00. After a crossing pass from the left side by Tyler Yates (Sr., F, Kailua-Kona, HI/Kealakehe HS), Main headed the ball from about five yards out near the right post.
GFU tied the score at 1-1 six minutes later on a goal by Trevor Martin. After a free kick, Becerra took a shot that was blocked. The ball fell to Martin., who scored on the follow shot.
The score remained the same until just after the 67-minute mark, when three goals were scored in just 1:13.
George Fox claimed a 2-1 lead on a goal by Miguel Lopez, assisted by Victor Garcia, at 67:22. Just 48 seconds later at 68:10, Christopher Barnes (Jr., D, Los Altos, CA/ Mountain View HS) of Willamette scored to tie the game. Alan Hernandez (So., F, Tigard, OR/Tigard HS) assisted on the play.
Willamette surged into the lead 25 second later. In the center the attacking third, Yazan Hishmeh (Sr., F, Ventura, CA/Saint Bonaventure HS) sent a through pass to Jesse Thompson (Sr., F, Santa Ynez, CA/Santa Ynez HS). Thompson dashed into the penalty area and shot from 15 yards past Sotelo.
The Bearcats almost increased their lead just over two minutes later. A shot by Hernandez from close range was saved by Sotelo. Hishmeh's follow shot was high.
Miguel Lopez scored the tying goal for GFU at 89:12. The Boxers had the ball in the right corner of the field with several Bearcats nearby. A pass from the corner found Lopez open. He shot from 15 yards out.
Although neither team scored in overtime, both teams had chances. WU took six shots during the two 10-minute overtime periods, while George Fox earned three shots.
Willamette almost won the game with 4:20 left in the first overtime, when a shot by McKee from 14 yards out hit the underside of the crossbar, bounced down and stayed out of the goal. Luis Rangel of George Fox missed high on a shot from close range just over two minutes into the second overtime at 102:07.
The Bearcats had a quality chance to score after gaining a corner kick at 107:45. Hernandez provided an accurate pass on the corner, and the Bearcats had three or four chances to score, but couldn't put the ball into the net.
In addition to a 34-19 advantage in total shots, the Bearcats attained a 13-8 edge in shots on goal. Willamette finished the game with 10 corner kicks, while GFU received four corners.
WU goalies Braydon Calder (Sr., Philomath, OR/Philomath HS) and Josh Fuentes (Jr., Salem, OR/South Salem HS) each played one half during regulation. Calder made two saves in the first half. Fuentes, who played the second half and both overtimes, finished with three saves.
Up next for Willamette is the team's Senior Day game on Sunday, Oct. 25 against Pacific University. The Bearcats' 10 seniors will be playing in their final home game. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. (PDT) at Sparks Field.
