By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Edwin Ortiz (So., M, Salem, OR/North Salem HS) and Sean Kim (Fy., M, Sunnyvale, CA/Homestead HS) each scored two goals to help send Willamette University to a 6-0 victory over Pacific University in Northwest Conference men's soccer action at Sparks Field on Sunday, Feb. 28. Ortiz hit the net just 1:42 into the game and the Boxers gave up an own goal just over 14 minutes later, allowing the Bearcats to hold a 2-0 lead at halftime. Willamette pulled away with four goals in the final 16 minutes. The Bearcats outshot the Boxers, 17-1, as Willamette placed 11 shots on target.

The Bearcats moved to 1-0 overall and 1-0 in the NWC. Pacific fell to 0-1 on the season, 0-1 in the NWC.

Ortiz scored the opening goal on a header from the right corner of the goalie box following a long cross from the left side by Jack Moothart (Sr., M, West Linn/West Linn HS). Moothart also crossed the ball on the own goal allowed by Pacific. The pass deflected off a defender and went into the goal at 15:46.

Willamette's barrage of scoring plays late in the game began with a shot by Carter McCleary (Sr., F, Port Hadlock, WA/Chimacum HS). He sent the ball into the upper right corner of the net from nine yards out at 74:46. Just 21 seconds later, Ortiz scored from just insde the 18-yard box after receiving a pass from McCleary, as Willamette's lead reached 4-0.

Kim added the final two goals at 79:49 and 82:49. Both goals by Kim were on shots from near the top of the penalty area. Sebastian Ruelas (Jr., F/M, Salem, OR/South Salem HS/Chemeketa CC) assisted on both plays.

For the Bearcats, Kim led all players with five shots, including four shots on goal. Ortiz, Ryan Sato (Jr., MF, Sunnyvale, CA/Homestead HS), and Samuel Twenhafel (Fy., M, Anchorage, AK/South Anchorage HS) each took two shots. Mitch Takara took Pacific's only shot, which was wide of the goal at 62:48.

Pierluca Carnovale (Fy., GK, Seattle, WA/Ballard HS), who played the first 45 minutes in goal for Willamette, picked up the win. Anthony Richard-Bassett (Sr., GK, Salem, OR/South Salem HS) went in goal for the final 45 minutes. For Pacific, Connor Matto started in goal and registered two saves in 45 minutes. Cole Stritzke earned four saves for the Boxers in the second half.

The Bearcats will play at George Fox University on Sunday, March 7. Kickoff for the NWC game is slated for 3 p.m. (PST).