By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

NEWBERG, Ore. -- Willamette University senior Omar Dominguez Pascasio (D, Madras, OR/Madras HS) scored the game-winning goal at 63:37 and the Bearcats went on to defeat George Fox University, 2-1, in a Northwest Conference men's soccer game on Sunday, March 7. The Bearcats, who played with 10 men for nearly the entire second half, displayed solid defense after Dominguez Pascasio's go-ahead goal. The resulting victory improved Willamette to 2-0 on the season, 2-0 in the NWC. George Fox fell to 1-1 overall, 1-1 in the NWC.

The teams were tied 1-1 at halftime. Willamette's Jack Moothart (Sr., M, West Linn, OR/West Linn HS) received a red card just seconds into the second half. The Bearcats were forced to compete one player short for almost 45 minutes.

Dominguez Pascasio found the winning-goal on a header. He was assisted by Josh Schneider (Jr., F, Washougal, WA/Camas HS) on the play.

The Bruins took three shots between 70:52 and 72:34, but the Bearcats blocked the first and third shots, while goalkeeper Anthony Richard-Bassett (Sr., GK, Salem, OR/South Salem HS) saved the middle shot. GFU did not create another offensive attempt until a shot by Luke Harmon at 87:46 that was saved by Richard-Bassett. Ryan Sato (Jr., MF, Sunnyvale, CA/Homestead HS) of Willamette took the game's final shot. It went wide of the goal at 88:26.

Willamette registered the first goal of the game at 11:51. Phil Doherty (Jr., MF, Seattle, WA/Garfield HS) scored on a shot from the center of the penalty area. The ball deflected off GFU goalie Cole Benton and into the net. George Fox tied the score on an unassisted goal by Luke Hamocon at 30:09. Hamocon's shot was from 18 yards.

For the game, GFU held an 11-7 edge in total shots, while both teams achieved three shots on target. Richard-Bassett provided WU with two saves while playing the final 45 minutes. Pierluca Carnovale (Fy., Seattle, WA/Ballard HS) did not make a save while competing for the Bearcats in the first half. Benton recorded one save in 90 minutes for GFU.

The Bearcats will play again on Sunday, March 14 at Pacific University. Game time in Forest Grove, Oregon, is set for 3 p.m. (PDT).