By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Jett Starr (Sr., F, Portland, OR/Cleveland HS) scored a goal on an 8-yard header and Andrew Reed (Jr., M/F, Portland, OR/Franklin HS) scored on a great individual move, as Willamette University built a 2-1 lead early in the second half in their battle against Whitworth University in Northwest Conference men's soccer action on Saturday, Sept. 30. Whitworth scored on a penalty kick to tie the score about 13 minutes into the second half and the Pirates grabbed a 3-2 lead on a goal with just over 10 minutes remaining.

Whitworth held onto the lead at Sparks Field to improve to 5-3-1 this season, 3-1-1 in the NWC. Willamette fell to 3-5-0 overall, 3-1-0 in the NWC.

The game featured lots of quality play and physical battles, including 20 fouls and four yellow cards. It also featured a powerful shot by Reed that hit the left goal post in the second half, a play that would have broken a 2-2 tie at 63:43.

Instead, the go-ahead goal was earned by Coel Friesen of Whitworth at the end of a counter-attack at 79:55. The ball was played from midfield by Jordan Voigt, which allowed Friesen to take control while racing two Willamette defenders toward the 18-yard box. Friesen shot from 16 yards into the lower left portion of the goal.

Willamette opened the scoring at 36:54 on Starr's header following a pass from the left side by Samuel Twenhafel (Sr., D, Anchorage, AK/South Anchorage HS). The Pirates answered 44 seconds later when Friesen scored on a diving header near the right post. As on Friesen's later game-winner, he was assisted by Voigt. The score remained 1-1 at halftime.

The Bearcats surged into the lead with Reed's goal just 3:34 into the second half. He gained possession 18 yards from the goal line and kept control while moving through several defenders. Reed shot from 12 yards into the lower right corner.

Willamette ended the game with a 17-16 edge in total shots and an 8-7 margin in shots on goal. Whitworth claimed a 7-2 advantage in corner kicks, and Friesen led all players with seven shots, including four shots on target. Starr topped the Bearcats with four shots (three on goal) and Tiago Palhetas (Fy., M/F, Mississauga, ON, Canada/Our Lady of Mount Carmel) tacked on three shots with two on goal.

Bearcat goalkeeper Ibrahm Garza made four saves during the game. Two goalies split time in the nets for Whitworth, as Anton Dershem recorded two saves in the first half and Aiden Chase added three saves in the second half. The Pirates also made one team save as a defender deflected a shot near the goal line.

Up next for Willamette is a home game against Whitman College on Sunday (Oct. 1). Kickoff at Sparks Field is slated for 2:30 p.m. PDT.