By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- Three Bearcats -- Andrew Reed (So., M/F, Portland, OR/Franklin HS), Haydn Duncan (Fy., D, South Jordan, UT/Juan Diego Catholic HS), and Drew Alexander (So., D, San Mateo, CA/Junipero Serra HS) -- each scored goal for Willamette University in a 3-1 victory over the University of Puget Sound on Saturday, Sept. 23 at Sparks Field. The Bearcats led 2-0 at halftime, but a penalty kick goal for the Loggers at 52:08 reduced the lead. Willamette added an insurance goal by Alexander at 77:24 to secure the win.
WU starting goalkeeper Pierluca Carnovale (Sr., GK, Seattle, WA/Ballard HS) earned one save before leaving the game with an injury in the first minute of the second half at 45:40. Ibrahm Garza (So., GK, Portland, OR/Cleveland HS) entered the game for Carnovale and responded by providing four saves despite giving up the penalty kick. A couple of Garza's saves were exceptional and were recorded while Willamette held a slim 2-1 lead. Ryan Saunders of Puget Sound registered five saves in the nets for the Loggers.
The win improved Willamette's record to 2-4-0 overall and to 2-0-0 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette is the defending NWC Champion. Puget Sound dropped to 2-2-1 overall, 0-1-1 in the NWC.
Reed opened the scoring at the 8:24 mark on a 25-yard shot from the right side into the lower left corner of the goal. He was assisted on the play by a pass from Simon Stein (Jr., D, Orinda, CA/Miramonte HS).
The Bearcats carried much of the play in the first half and increased their advantage to 2-0 about 11 minutes later. Duncan sent the ball into the upper left corner of the net at 19:18 on a header following a corner kick by Tiago Palhetas (Fy., M/F, Mississauga, ON, Canada/Our Lady of Mount Carmel). WU kept its two-goal lead at the halftime break.
A foul by Willamette in the penalty area led to a penalty kick for the Loggers at 52:08. Graham Hall took the penalty shot and scored into the lower left portion of the goal.
Alexander supplied the clinching goal for the Bearcats at 77:24 on a 16-yard shot into the lower right corner. His blast followed a pass from 32 yards out by Luke Varav (Jr., M/F, Newbury Park, CA/Newbury Park HS). Alexander moved into the box to set up the scoring shot.
WU finished the game with a 25-14 margin in total shots and 60% possession. The Bearcats also held an 8-6 advantage in shots on goal and a 9-7 lead in corner kicks. During the game, there were a total of seven yellow cards issued, four on Willamette and three on Puget Sound.
The Bearcats will battle George Fox University at Sparks Field on Sunday, Sept. 24. Game time is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. PDT.
