By Charlie McGuire, Athletics Communications Assistant

SALEM, Ore. – The Willamette University men's soccer team struck early in the second half of a well-played match with Whitman College on Saturday, Oct. 30 to take a 1-0 lead. The Bearcats put together some strong runs of play with some quality passing, but the Blues scored a pair of late goals to escape with a 2-1 decision at Sparks Field. In a key Northwest Conference match-up, Whitman improved to 12-4-0 on the season and 8-4-0 in league play. The Bearcats slipped to 10-4-1 overall and moved to 8-3-1 in the NWC.

Both teams had opportunities in the first half, each putting two shots on net before the break. Whitman's Colby Ramsey turned away both shots on goal while Pierluca Carnovale (So., GK, Seattle, WA/Ballard HS) came up with a big save for Willamette.

The Bearcat defense also played a key role in keeping the match level, clearing a ball off the line in the 32nd minute and receiving strong play in the back from senior Max Berner-Hays (D, Seattle, WA/Ballard HS). Willamette held the advantage in total shots in the first half, 9-4, while earning a 5-3 edge in corners.

The Bearcats capitalized on an early foul in the second half and served a well-struck free kick into the penalty area from 30 yards out. Sean Kim (So., F, Sunnyvale, CA/Homestead) collected the loose ball and found the back of the net to put the hosts in front, 1-0. That goal came just 1:45 after the break.

Whitman created some dangerous chances, but Carnovale was able to keep the Blues off the scoreboard for most of the game as he turned away another four shots. Physical play led to an overall foul count of 27, with Whitman committing 19 on the afternoon. It was the Bearcats, ironically, that would find themselves playing a man-down after a pair of quick cautions led to an ejection in the 68th minute. Whitman took advantage of the extra-man as Noa Taylor pulled the Blues even, scoring on a loose ball with 11 minutes remaining in regulation.

Willamette had a strong chance on a counter-attack in the 86th minute, but the Whitman defense blocked a pair of shots. Taylor had a chance for the game-winner, firing off a shot that forced a brilliant save by Carnovale with time running out. On the ensuing corner kick, Whitman would get the game-winner as Rowan Calvert redirected a header off the serve from Jacob Basher with just 48 seconds remaining in regulation.

In the end, the teams finished equal in shots with 16 while Whitman held a 7-5 advantage on corners. Carnovale closed out the match with five saves on the afternoon while Ramsey finished with four.

The Bearcats are home again on Sunday, Oct. 31, hosting Whitworth University at 2:30 p.m. (PDT).