By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Abdul Ali (Sr., D, West Linn, OR/West Linn HS) scored two goals and Pierce Gallaway (Sr., M, Carmel, CA/Carmel HS) scored on a penalty kick and added two assists, as Willamette University defeated nearby Northwest Conference rival Linfield University, 4-1, on Sunday, Oct. 9 at Sparks Field. The Bearcats, ranked #7 in NCAA Division III, improved to 9-0-2 overall, 7-0-0 in the NWC. Linfield dropped to 4-7-1 on the season, 3-3-1 in the NWC.

In addition to scoring three goals, the Bearcats also benefited from an own-goal scored by Linfield that gave Willamette a 3-0 lead.

The game was physical and sometimes fast-paced with 30 total fouls (18 by Linfield) and six cards. Five of the cards went to Linfield players, including a red card to Cameron Gaines for a foul just 12:55 into the game. The red card left the Wildcats playing with 10 players for the final 77:05.

"It's always a special thing to win the entire first round of conference play," Willamette Head Men's Soccer Coach Sam Adelman said. "Today certainly felt like a rivalry match with how aggressive the match became, but also how much energy each team came in with. We did well to create multiple chances in the final third, and we easily could have done more damage."

Willamette controlled most of the game, finished with a 29-3 advantage in total shots, and kept the ball for over 60% possession. The Bearcats also held a 14-2 edge in shots on target, but Linfield goalkeeper Henry Boudreaux registered 11 saves.

The Bearcats forced Beaudreaux to make five saves in the first 22 minutes. Willamette also missed on several shots early in the game that were blocked or went just wide of the goal.

One of the yellow cards led directly to Willamette's first goal. The card was issued to Keegan Brooks for a foul against Drew Alexander (Fy., D, San Mateo, CA/Junipero Serra HS) just inside the left edge of the 18-yard box at 28:37. Alexander was injured on the play and left the game. The foul also led to a penalty kick, which was successfully taken by Gallaway. He shot into the lower left portion of the goal.

Willamette remained in front 1-0 at halftime despite a 17-2 lead in total shots. Boudreaux earned nine of his saves in the first half.

Ali tallied his first goal of the game at 50:29 on a header from 8 yards out into the upper left corner of the net. He scored following a crossing pass from the right side by Fernando Bitelli (So., F/M, Sao Paulo, Brazil). Gallaway also earned an assist on the play.

The own goal by Linfield occurred less than 10 minutes later at 59:54. Boudreaux saved a shot by Sean Kim (Jr., F, Sunnyvale, CA/Homestead HS). After he recorded the save, the ball deflected off a defender and off Boudreaux before crossing the goal line.

Linfield cut the margin to 3-1 on an unassisted goal by Sid Kosaris at 75:41. Kosaris shot from 25 yards out past WU goalkeeper Pierluca Carnovale (Jr., GK, Seattle, WA/Ballard HS).

Ali created his second goal at 78:39 on a shot from 16 yards near the right edge of the 18-yard box. His solid strike propelled the ball into the lower left corner of the goal for a 4-1 lead. Gallaway provided an assist on the play with a pass from the middle about 35 yards from goal.

Carnovale was credited with one save for the Bearcats. This season, he has earned a 1.11 goals against average and a 9-0-2 record in the nets.

Willamette is scheduled to play Whitman College at Sparks Field on Sunday, Oct. 15. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. (PDT).