By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Edwin Ortiz (Jr., F, Salem, OR/North Salem HS) scored a goal just over 16 minutes into the second half to give Willamette University a 1-0 lead against the University of Puget Sound on Saturday, Oct. 2 at Sparks Field. WU protected its one-goal margin, and Jett Starr (So., F, Portland, OR/Cleveland HS) scored for the Bearcats with 55 seconds left to clinch a 2-0 win over the Loggers in Northwest Conference men's soccer action. The Bearcats upped their record to 6-2-0 on the season, 4-1-0 in the NWC, while Puget Sound dropped to 3-5-1 overall, 2-2-1 in the NWC.

The Bearcats and the Boxers were tied 0-0 at halftime, but Willamette owned a 7-2 margin in total shots and a 2-0 edge in shots on goal at the break. The score remained scoreless when back-to-back shots by Ardem Baronian (Jr., F, Los Altos, CA/St. Francis HS) and Ortiz were blocked by Puget Sound defenders at 45:40 and 45:45, respectively.

Ortiz earned his goal at 61:05 on a shot from near the top of the penalty area. His 18-yard strike went into the middle left portion of the goal. Ortiz was assisted on the play by Sean Kim (So., F, Sunnyvale, CA/Homestead HS).

Willamette goalkeeper Pierluca Carnovale (So., GK, Seattle, WA/Ballard HS), who guided the defense to the shutout win, recorded all three of his saves in the second half during a 3:28 span with WU leading 1-0. He stopped a shot by Cole Haupt at 67:09 and saved shots by Pema Globus at 69:06 and 70:37.

While the Loggers forced Carnovale into three saves in the second half, the Bearcats also kept Puget Sound goalie Andrew Matheny busy over the final 45 minutes. Matheny accumulated six saves during the game, including four in the second half. He kept out a shot by Luke Varav (Fy., F, Newbury Park, CA/Newbury Park HS) at 74:01. Later, Matheny registered three saves in less than two minutes, as he stopped an attempt by Krisna LaFrance (Fy., F, Seattle, WA./Ballard HS) at 83:29 and then saved shots by Varav at 83:46 and 85:03.

For the game, Willamette attained a 19-7 margin in total shots, including a 12-6 edge in the second half. The Bearcats placed eight shots on target over the 90 minutes, while Puget Sound finished with three shots on goal. Varav led the Bearcats with a total of five shots. Kim contributed four shots. WU gained a 5-3 advantage in corner kicks.

The Bearcats will host Pacific Lutheran University on Sunday, Oct. 3 at Sparks Field. PLU enters the game with an 8-2 overall record and the Lutes lead the NWC at 5-0, one game in front of the Bearcats. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. (PDT).