By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Fernando Bitelli (So., F/M, Sao Paulo, Brazil) scored an exceptional goal at 38:36 and Simon Kidder (Jr., M, Bend, OR/Summit HS) added a goal at 69:34 as Willamette University grabbed a 2-0 lead, and the Bearcats held off the University of Puget Sound for a 2-1 win in the Northwest Conference opener for both teams. Willamette remained undefeated at 3-0-2 and started NWC action at 1-0, while Puget Sound suffered its first loss to fall to 4-1-2, 0-1 in the NWC.

Willamette outshot the Loggers 14-11 overall. The Bearcats were very accurate with their shots, as 12 of the 14 attempts were on target. PS goalkeeper Ryan Saunders was excellent in goal and registered 10 saves. Willamette goalie Pierluca Carnovale (Jr., GK, Seattle, WA/Ballard HS) also was strong in the nets, earning five saves on Puget Sound's six shots on goal.

Both teams created a couple of quality scoring chances early in the game. Diego Alvaro of PS forced Carnovale into a save just 1:23 after the kickoff. Jake Oetinger (Fy., D, Gilroy, CA/Christopher HS) took a shot for the Bearcats at 5:24 that was saved by Saunders. Krisna LaFrance (So., F, Seattle, WA./Ballard HS) shot at 8:35, forcing Saunders into another save. Carnovale stopped a shot by Lincoln Schell of Puget Sound at 10:35. Carnovale also provided WU with a save on a shot by Schell at 12:21.

Saunders accumulated six saves before Bitelli pushed Willamette in front with his golazzo at 38:36. After receiving a pass from LaFrance, Bitello drove into the top left corner of the 18-yard box, where he unleashed a shot into the right side-netting.

Kidder expanded the Bearcats' lead to 2-0 just past the midway point of the second half at 69:34. The play began with a low cross by Dylan Ray (Fy., D, Torrance, CA/West HS) from 10-yard out on the right side. The pass reached Kidder just outside the 6-yard box. Kidder shot from eight yards into the middle of the goal.

Less than three minutes later, Stuart Methner scored an unassisted goal for the Loggers at 72:06. He shot from 10 yards into the right side of the net. 

Saunders earned a save on a Willamette shot by Edwin Ortiz (Sr., F, Salem, OR/North Salem HS) less than a minute after Methner's goal to keep Puget Sound within 2-1. He also stopped a shot by LaFrance at 85:21.

The Loggers managed three shots in the final 11 minutes. Graham Hall barely missed wide left at 79:08, Schell took a shot that Carnovale grabbed at 83:22, and Ian Cameron shot well over the goal at 89:21.

Willamette achieved a 10-1 edge in corner kicks during the game, including a 5-0 advantage in the second half. In addition, the game included 28 fouls, with 16 called on Willamette and 12 on Puget Sound. The game included just one yellow card, which went to Liam Elliott of PS at 14:04.

The Bearcats will remain at home on Sunday, Sept. 18 to take on Pacific Lutheran University. The Lutes enter the game with a 5-0-0 overall record, 1-0 in the NWC. Game time at Sparks Field is slated for 2:30 p.m. (PDT).