By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- Pierce Gallaway (Sr., M, Carmel, CA/Carmel HS) scored two goals and Abdul Ali (Sr., D, West Linn, OR/West Linn HS) added one goal, as Willamette University defeated Pacific University 3-1 on Sunday, Oct. 22 during Senior Day at Sparks Field. Gallaway has scored in five of Willamette's last six games and leads the Northwest Conference with 11 goals. Willamette, ranked #13 in the most recent NCAA Division III Poll, improved to 12-1-2 on the season, 10-1-0 in the NWC. Pacific fell to 1-12-3 overall, 0-9-2 in the NWC.
Gallaway and Ali were two of the eight seniors on the Willamette roster who were honored prior to the game. Other seniors for the Bearcats include Ardem Baronian (Sr., M/F, Los Altos, CA/St. Francis HS), Ben Bidwell (Sr., D/F, Claremont, CA/Claremont HS), Max Brown (Sr., F, Morgan Hill, CA/Ann Sobrato HS), Edwin Ortiz (Sr., F, Salem, OR/North Salem HS), Josh Schneider (Sr., F, Washougal, WA/Camas HS), and Alexander Tapia (Sr., GK, San Mateo, CA/Aragon HS).
The Bearcats outshot Pacific 23-3 for the match, including a 12-1 edge in shots on goal. Wu also gained a 13-2 margin in corner kicks. Pacific goalkeeper Zach Aderinto earned nine saves during the game.
Willamette grabbed a 1-0 lead when Gallaway scored on a penalty kick midway through the first half at 24:30. The penalty occurred after Schneider intercepted a back-pass from the midfield stripe. Schneider moved into the left edge of the penalty area, where he was tripped from behind by a Boxer. The Bearcats attained a 14-1 margin in total shots in the first half, but still held a slim 1-0 lead at the break.
Ali scored just over 11 minutes into the second half at 56:05 for a 2-0 lead. He was assisted by Sean Kim (Jr., F, Sunnyvale, CA/Homestead HS) on the play. Kim took a corner kick from the left side and the ball fell to Ali, who shot from four yards into the net.
The Bearcats continued to limit scoring chances for the Boxers and eventually took a 3-0 lead at 83:03 on Gallaway's second goal of the game on an assist from Schneider. The Bearcats used crisp passing to move the ball following a turnover by the Pacific defense. Gallaway sent Schneider into the penalty area on a short through-pass. Schneider completed the give-and-go by passing from the right side to Gallaway in the center of the box. Gallaway scored from eight yards out.
Pacific cut the margin to 3-1 at 86:51 when a defensive turnover led to a goal by Aidan Pierias. Jericho Lara was credited with an assist.
Willamette will play at Pacific Lutheran University on Saturday, Oct. 29. Game time is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. (PDT).
