By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Goals by Josh Schneider (So., F, Washoughal, WA/Camas HS) and Max Berner-Hays (Jr., D, Seattle, WA/Ballard HS) gave Willamette University a 2-1 lead at halftime against Whitman College on Saturday, Sept. 21. The Bearcats added goals by Ryan Sato (So., MF, Sunnyvale, CA/Homestead HS) and Yushiro Shiomi (So., D, Kyoto, Japan/TIUA) in the second half to defeat the Blues, 4-1, in a Northwest Conference men's soccer game at Sparks Field.

The Bearcats extended their record to 4-0-2 on the season, 1-0 in the NWC. Whitman dropped to 3-4 overall, 0-1 in the NWC.

"We are happy with the result today, and we are glad to be off to a good start in the conference."
— Willamette Head Coach Jared Rust

Schneider opened the scoring with a goal just 6:40 into the game. Shiomi eluded a defender near the sideline and crossed the ball to Schneider, who sent the ball from just inside the top of the box into the upper right corner of the goal. Shiomi finished the game with a goal and two assists, giving him two goals and four assists on the season.

Whitman tied the score at 1-1 on a goal by Adam Joss at 23:36. The goal was set up by Oscsar Harding, who dribbled down the left sideline before crossing the ball into the penalty area. Joss successfuly shot the ball toward the bottom right of the net.

Berner-Hays scored for WU seven minutes later, as the Bearcats grabbed a 2-1 advantage. Sato began the scoring play with a free kick from 30 yards out. Berner-Hays headed the ball near the top of the 6-yard box, sending it high into the net.

Willamette added goals at 52:07 by Sato and at 67:57 by Yushiro Shiomo to complete the scoring. Shiomi assisted on Sato's goal with a crossing pass from 20 yards out. Sato took a touch and then shot into the lower right corner of the goal. The goal by Shiomi was set up by Edwin Ortiz (Fy., M, Salem, OR/North Salem HS) on a free kick from 30 yards out in the middle of the field. Shiomi scored on a header from six yards into the left side of the net.

The Bearcats controlled 56% of the possession, but Whitman gained a 9-6 margin in total goals. Each team had four shots on target, with Willamette scoring on all four of its shots on goal. Mason Kelliher (Sr., GK, Wellington, N.Z./Wellington College) played all 90 minutes in goal and earned three saves for the Bearcats.

WU has outscored its opponents 15-2 this season. Sato leads the Bearcats with three goals and also has two assists. Willamette will battle Whitworth University at Sparks Field on Sunday, Sept. 22 with kickoff set for 12 p.m. (PDT).