By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University men's soccer players Abdul Ali (Jr., D, West Linn, OR/West Linn HS), Sean Kim (So., F, Sunnyvale, CA/Homestead HS), and Edwin Ortiz (Jr., F, Salem, OR/North Salem HS) each scored a goal as the Bearcats shut out Whitworth University, 3-0, at Sparks Field on Sunday, Oct. 31. The Bearcats advanced their record to 11-4-1 overall, including 9-3-1 in the Northwest Conference. Whitworth dropped to 8-8-1 overall, 7-6-0 in the NWC.

"We wanted to respond and react to yesterday's defeat (2-1 against Whitman College), and we did just that," Willamette Head Men's Soccer Coach Sam Adelman said. "I'm proud of the group today and the way we handled ourselves. Our pursuit of the conference title stopped short this week. We need to take care of business against Linfield (at home on Saturday, Nov. 6), celebrate our seniors, and start to gear up for our pursuit of the championship next season."

Ali scored the first goal on Sunday just 60 seconds into the game. His short volley from six yards went into the net to complete an offensive play on a throw-in. Luke Varav (Fy., F, Newbury Park, CA/Newbury Park HS) threw in the ball from the right side, sending it near the corner of the six-yard box. It was flicked on by Omar Dominguez Pascasio (Sr., D, Madras, OR/Madras HS), who sent it toward Ali near the left post.

Willamette extended the lead to 2-0 at 24:25 on the goal by Kim. The play began with a long through-pass from the midfield by Ardem Baronian (Jr., F, Los Altos, CA/St. Francis HS) that sent Kim on his way toward the goal with a defender trying to keep pace. Kim shot from 12 yards on the right side of the penalty into the upper right corner of the goal.

Ortiz tallied the third goal for the Bearcats just seconds after entering the game as a substitute. He shot from eight yards into the lower left portion of the net following a cross by Mack van der Velde (Sr., D, Voorhout, Neth./Summit HS, Bend, OR) and a header from Dominguez Pascasio. The goal gave Willamette a 3-0 advantage at the 29:51 mark.

At halftime, the Bearcats held a 14-8 margin in total shots, including a 7-4 edge in shots on goal. Pierce Gallaway (Jr., M, Carmel, CA/Carmel HS) of Willamette took four shots -- three on goal -- during the first 45 minutes. Whitworth goalkeeper Bo Broyles made four saves in the opening half, including one on a shot by Gallaway with 44 seconds left in the period. Willamette goalie Pierluca Carnovale (So., GK, Seattle, WA/Ballard HS) registered three saves in the first half, while defender Samuel Twenhafel (So., Anchorage, AK/South Anchorage HS) headed away one shot near the goal line.

Neither team scored in the second half. Whitworth outshot Willamette, 7-6, but Carnovale earned four more saves to preserve the shutout. Carnovale finished with seven saves overall. Broyles provided the Pirates with five saves in 76 minutes. Andrew Wolotira, who played the final 14 minutes in goal for Whitworth, recorded two saves.

For the game, Willamette held a 20-15 lead in total shots, as the Bearcats gained a 10-8 margin in shots on target. Whitworth earned a 5-2 advantage in corner kicks, while Willamette maintained the ball for a 52% possession rate.

The Bearcats will conclude the season against Linfield College at Sparks Field on Saturday, Nov. 6. Game time is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. (PDT).