By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Ardem Baronian (Sr., M/F, Los Altos, CA/St. Francis HS) scored a goal for Willamette University just 2:42 into the game, and the Bearcats added two more goals in the first half and four goals in the second half for a 7-0 victory against George Fox University, in a Northwest Conference game on Sunday, Sept. 25. Willamette's fifth goal was scored by Jett Starr (Jr., F, Portland, OR/Cleveland HS) on a bicycle kick.

With the win, the Bearcats improved to 6-0-2 on the season, 4-0-2 at Sparks Field, and 4-0 in the NWC. The Bruins fell to 1-5-2 overall, 0-2-2 in the NWC.

Willamette earned a 26-1 edge in total shots during the game, as the Bearcats placed 13 shots on target. GFU's only shot was technically off target, but the blast by Kilinahe Waring at 34:39 was a strong threat that hit the crossbar near the right upright. Waring's shot occurred about three minutes before Willamette tallied its third goal. The Bearcats accumulated a 9-2 margin in corner kicks.

Baronian began the scoring success with a shot from 17 yards into the lower left corner of the goal. It was an unassisted goal, as Baronian's shot occurred after a GFU defender partially cleared a pass from inside the penalty area.

Andrew Reed (So., M, Portland, OR/Franklin HS) tapped in a goal just under seven minutes later at the 9:37 mark for a 2-0 lead. The play began with a corner kick from the left side by Krisna LaFrance (So., F, Seattle, WA./Ballard HS), who sent the ball near the right post, where Jake Oetinger (Fy., D, Gilroy, CA/Christopher HS) headed it down and toward the middle of the goal.

The third goal of the half was scored by Sean Kim (Jr., F, Sunnyvale, CA/Homestead HS) on a shot from 13 yard to the lower left portion of the net. Drew Alexander (Fy., D, San Mateo, CA/Junipero Serra HS) started the scoring effort, as he drove into the left side of the penalty area near the end line, moved past a defender, and sent the ball into the middle of the 6-yard box. Josh Schneider (Sr., F, Washougal, WA/Camas HS) lightly touched the ball, advancing it to Kim for the shot.

Willamette's lead quickly reached 4-0 and 5-0 during a four-minute span early in the second half. At 51:09, Fernando Bitelli (So., F/M, Sao Paulo, Brazil) scored on a shot from 18 yards near the middle of the field. LaFrance assisted on the play with a pass from the left side.

At 55:09, Starr added his bicycle kick goal from eight yards out in the middle of the penalty area. His kick completed a free kick by Kim from 23 yard out on the left side. Kim's pass into the 18-yard box was tipped up by Haydn Duncan (Fy., D, South Jordan, UT/Juan Diego Catholic HS) before Starr provided the bicycle kick.

Julian Rivas Delgado (Fy., F, Salem, OR/South Salem HS), who played the final 31 minutes, scored goals for WU at 65:06 and 74:09. Both goals were from 14 yards near the middle of the field. He put the first shot into the upper right corner after a cross from the left side by Kim. Rivas Delgado placed the second shot in the lower middle portion of the goal following a pass from the right side by Alexander.

Pierluca Carnovale (Jr., GK, Seattle, WA/Ballard HS) played the first 74:09 for the Bearcats to earn the win and combined with Alexander Tapia (Sr., GK, San Mateo, CA/Aragon HS) for the shutout. It was the Bearcats' second consecutive shutout and their third shutout of the season. Willamette downed Pacific University 5-0 on Saturday, Sept. 24. Earlier in the season, WU and Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (Calif.) played to a 0-0 tie.

On Sunday, Cade Matsumoto of George Fox earned five saves. Keoni Gavino played the final 7:34 for the Bruins and registered one save.

Willamette will play an exhibition game against Lewis & Clark College on Monday, Sept. 26. Game time at Sparks Field is scheduled for 5 p.m. L&C will begin competing in the NWC next season.