By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University scored four goals on free kicks in a 5-1 win over George Fox University on Sunday, March 28 in a Northwest Conference men's soccer game at Sparks Field. The win advanced Willamette to 6-0 on the season, 6-0 in the NWC. The Bruins dropped to 2-4 overall, 2-3 in the NWC. Ryan Sato (Jr., MF, Sunnyvale, CA/Homestead HS) led the Bearcats with two goals, both in the first 14 minutes as WU built a 2-0 lead.

Sato's first goal was scored just 3:13 after the opening kickoff. He took a free kick from 25 yards out and sent the ball into the lower left corner of the net. Ten minutes later at 13:17, Sato took another free kick, this time from 22 yards out near the center of the 18-yard box. He curled the ball around the George Fox wall and into the lower left corner of the goal. Willamette remained in front 2-0 at halftime.

Although Willamette controlled much of the game, the Bruins still held about 48% of the possession. George Fox cut the lead to 2-1 on a goal by Luke Hamocon at 64:30 on a header from six yards following a long pass from Alan Rincon.

The game appeared to be heading toward a tense finish, but the Bearcats tacked on three goals in the final 23 minutes to clinch the win.

Abdul Ali (So., D, West Linn, OR/West Linn HS) started Willamettes' surge with a goal just 2:30 after the Bruins' goal. Ali earned the goal on a header from two yards at 67:00 on an assist from Edwin Ortiz (So., M, Salem, OR/North Salem HS) on a corner kick.

About six minutes later, Pierce Gallaway (So., M, Carmel, CA/Carmel HS) added WU's fourth free kick goal on a 19-yard direct kick into the upper left portion of the net. The final goal was scored by Ardem Baronian (So., M, Los Altos, CA/St. Francis HS) at 89:58 from six yards near the right edge of the goalie box. Phil Doherty (Jr., MF, Seattle, WA/Garfield HS) earned an assist on the play with a cross from the right wing.

"The squad played very well today," Willamette Head Men's Soccer Coach Jared Rust commented. "I thought we were very consistent and dominant on both sides of the ball. We created many quality chances in the match and capitalized on multiple set piece moments. I'm really proud of the group and their commitment to one another."

Gallaway and Baronian each recorded four total shots to lead all players, as Willamette claimed an 18-6 advantage in shots. GFU outshot the Bearcats, 4-3, in the first half, but WU gained a 15-2 margin in the second half. The Bearcats held an 8-3 lead in shots on goal during the contest. The Bearcats also earned a 5-3 edge in corner kicks.

GFU goalkeeper Cole Benton played all 90 minutes and made three saves. WU starting goalie Anthony Richard-Bassett (Sr., Salem, OR/South Salem HS) played 45 minutes and earned one save. Pierluca Carnovale (Fy., GK, Seattle, WA/Ballard HS) was in goal for the Bearcats in the second half and contributed his only save with a diving stop of a shot by Jamie O'Connell at 62:47.

Willamette will take on nearby rival Linfield University at Sparks Field on Sunday, April 4. Game time is scheduled for 3 p.m. (PDT).