By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- Krisna LaFrance (Jr., F, Seattle, WA/Ballard HS) scored a goal for Willamette University just 20 seconds after the opening kickoff, and the Bearcats went on to battle crosstown rival Corban University to a 4-4 tie in an exhibition game for WU on Sunday, Aug. 27 at Sparks Field. The game counted for Corban, which competes in the NAIA and the Cascade Collegiate Conference, with the Warriors moving to 0-0-1. Willamette competes in NCAA Division III and the Northwest Conference.
LaFrance shot from eight yards into the middle of the goal after receiving a pass from the right side Tiago Palhetas (Fy., M, Mississauga, ONT, Canada/Our Lady of Mt. Carmel). WU's early 1-0 lead lasted a short time, as Corban tied the score with a goal by Evan Hoover at the 2:19 mark. He scored on a shot from six yards out following a cross from the left on a counter-attack.
Just under 11 minutes later, the Bearcats regained the lead at 2-1 on a header by Haydn Duncan (Fy., D, South Jordan, UT/Juan Diego Catholic HS). Duncan shot from seven yards into the lower right portion of the goal. Evan Mariscal (Fy., F/M, Gilroy, CA/Monte Vista HS) assisted on the play.
WU increased its advantage to 3-1 on a goal by Lucas Carballo (Fy., F, Riverside, CA/Bloomington HS) at 29:09. The goal was recorded on a header from eight yards out. Palhetas provided a cross from the right side to set up the score.
Corban cut the margin to a single goal when Alejandro Andrade hit the net at 39:47 on a 10-yard shot after taking one touch. Aairojairo Aguirre and Gian Gargurevich earned assists on the play which began with a short corner kick and a cross. The Bearcats remained in front 3-2 at halftime.
Kiernan Van Engen (Fy., M/D, Dobbs Ferry, NY/Dobbs Ferry HS) gave Willamette a 4-2 advantage when he scored just 1:41 into the second half. His header from 10 yards was assisted by Brandon Rodriguez-Hernandez (Jr., M, Mount Angel, OR/Silverton HS), who took a free kick from 28 yards on the right side.
The Warriors scored at 60:51 and at 76:09 to tie the game. Irwin Leon hit the net on an assist from Gargurevich, as Leon shot from 12-yards into the top of the goal. Riley Menezes equalized the contest with a 7-yard header into the goal following a cross from Leon.
WU played three goalkeepers during the match while Corban used two goalkeepers. Ryan Doyle (Fy., GK, Rancho Santa Fe, CA/Torrey Pines HS) of Willamette, who entered the game following the Warriors' third goal, was injured and had to leave the game after a collision with a Corban player just outside the top of the box at 79:55.
Ibrahm Garza (So., GK, Portland, OR/Cleveland HS), who played the first 29:52 of the game, replaced Doyle for the remainder of the contest. Ben McDonald (Fy., GK, Portland, OR/Grant HS) played at the end of the first half and the start of the second half for a total of 30:56. For Corban, Isaac Pureco played 32:01 in the net, while Miguel Trujillo was in goal for the final 57:59. Garza, Pureco, and Trujillo each registered three saves for their respective teams.
Corban achieved an 18-13 lead in total shots and held a 10-6 edge in shots on goal. Each team registered six corner kicks. The Warriors played the final 8:39 with 10 players after Aguirre received his second yellow card.
The Bearcats will open the regular season on Friday, Sept. 1 at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. CDT/6 p.m. PDT.
