By Charlie McGuire, Athletics Communications Assistant

SALEM, Ore. – The Willamette University men's soccer team closed out the regular season with a 1-0 victory over visiting Linfield University on Saturday, Nov. 6 at Sparks Field. The Bearcats honored their seniors before the game and then improved to 12-4-1 overall and 10-3-1 (31 points) in the Northwest Conference. Linfield fell to 1-15-2 (5 points) and 0-12-2.

The Bearcats tallied the lone goal just before the break, scoring with just over seven minutes to play in the half. Luke Varav (Fy., M, Newbury Park, CA/Newbury Park HS) scored his first career goal, finishing an assist from Ardem Baronian (Jr., F, Los Altos, CA/St. Francis HS).

Willamette used a nice build to set up the goal as Baronian received a pass at the top of the penalty area and fed the ball to Varav, who finished with a beautifully placed left-foot shot into the upper right corner.

The Bearcats dominated the first half, outshooting the Wildcats 9-1 and forcing Linfield goalkeeper Julian Inches to make six saves. They also held a slim advantage in corners, 2-0. The teams matched shots in the second half, 6-6, while the hosts added five corners while not allowing any on the defensive end.

Inches finished with 11 saves while Willamette's Pierluca Carnovale (So., GK, Seattle, WA/Ballard HS) turned away two shots. Senior Anthony Richard-Bassett (GK, Salem, OR/South Salem HS) came on to finish the game and secure the shutout.

Willamette finished the regular season in second place in the NWC. Pacific Lutheran captured the title with a conference record of 11-3-0 (33 points). The Bearcats handed the Lutes one of their losses with a 3-2 decision on Oct. 16 in Tacoma, Washington.