By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Andrew Reed (Jr., M, Portland, OR/Franklin HS) scored a goal for the Bearcats in the first half and newcomer Lucas Carballo (Fy., F, Riverside, CA/Bloomington HS) scored in the second half, but Willamette University was defeated by Western Oregon University, 3-2, in a men's soccer exhibition game on Friday, Aug. 25 at Sparks Field. It was an entertaining game with 26 total shots, 13 shots on goal, and plenty of strong defensive plays.

The game featured nearby rivals from different NCAA divisions and different conferences. Willamette competes in NCAA Division III and the Northwest Conference. Western Oregon is a member of NCAA Division II and the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. The Wolves are in their second year of intercollegiate soccer.

Willamette took the lead just 8:03 into the contest on a shot by Reed from five yards into the left corner of the goal. Simon Kidder (Sr., M, Bend, OR/Summit HS) provided an assist on the play. Western Oregon tied the score at 1-1 at 22:56 on a goal by Moises Cisneros on a 10-yard shot from the right edge of the penalty area into the lower left portion of the net. Cisneros received an assist from Abraham Villalobos.

The score was still tied at halftime, although Willamette held a 9-5 edge in total shots and a 5-2 advantage in shots on goal. A key save in the first half was recorded by Willamette goalkeeper Pierluca Carnovale (Sr., GK, Seattle, WA/Ballard HS) when he rejected a shot by Marco Millan on a free kick from the top of the penalty area just a minute after Western Oregon's first goal. The shot went through the wall, but Carnovale was ready and registered the save.

As the second half began, the score remained in a deadlock for another 16 minutes. Millan gave the WOU a 2-1 lead on a shot from 25 yards out at 61:10. His low blast just eluded a diving Carnovale at the right post. Gabriel Silva was credited with an assist.

Western Oregon subbed its entire lineup at 62:40, including Rylan Davidson replacing Juan Suarez in goal. Carnovale also left the game at 62:40, with Ibrahm Garza (So., GK, Portland, OR/Cleveland HS) taking over in the net. In the second half, Willamette brought in many field players as well, but at various times. For the game, 23 Willamette players saw action along with 22 players for Western Oregon.

At 66:43, the Wolves increased their advantage to 3-1. Alex Grignon supplied the goal on a 16 yard shot from the right side that crossed the goal line in the lower right corner. The Bearcats cut the margin to 3-2 just over three minutes later on a nifty spin move by Carballo. After receiving a pass from Simon Stein (Jr., D, Orinda, CA/Miramonte HS), Carballo was just five yards from the goal. While spinning away from the goalie, he sent a back heel shot into the net.

Willamette was unable to find an equalizing goal, as Western Oregon won the exhibition game. The Bearcats earned a 16-10 margin in shots, including an 8-5 edge in shots on target. WU also gained a 6-0 lead in corner kicks. Suarez led all four goalkeepers with five saves for WOU. Carnovale made two saves for the Bearcats, while Davidson provided one save for the Wolves.

The Bearcats will play another exhibition game at Sparks Field when they host crosstown rival Corban University on Sunday, Aug. 27. Game time is set for 5 p.m. (PDT).

Willamette's regular season opener is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 1 at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. Game time is slated for 8 p.m. CDT/6 p.m. PDT.