By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Krisna LaFrance (Jr., F, Seattle, WA/Ballard HS) scored the game-tying goal midway through the second half on an assist from Jett Starr (Sr., F, Portland, OR/Cleveland HS), as the Bearcats tied Whitman College, 2-2, in a Northwest Conference game at Sparks Field on Sunday, Oct. 1. Willamette ended the afternoon with a 3-5-1 record, including 3-1-1 in the NWC. Whitman moved to 3-5-2 overall, 2-2-1 in the NWC.

It was a hard-fought battle, with several talented players on both teams creating opportunities on the attack or providing strong efforts on defense.

Ultimately, each team scored twice and the stats confirm a close game. Willamette gained a 15-13 edge in total shots, but both teams took seven shots on target. Corner kicks were nearly even with the Blues holding a 7-6 lead. Both goalkeepers provided five saves, with Willamette's Ibrahm Garza (So., GK, Portland, OR/Cleveland HS) and Whitman's Bernie Jones each recording a couple of impressive stops. The Bearcats earned a slim lead in time of possession at 51 percent.

Starr, who finished the game with a goal and an assist, opened the scoring with just over a minute left in the first half at 43:58. He shot from six yards into the upper right part of the net after Jones saved a 16-yard shot by Evan Mariscal (Fy., F/M, Gilroy, CA/Monte Vista HS). WU kept its 1-0 lead at halftime.

Whitman responded with a penalty kick goal at 49:37 by Erick Perez-Cuellar. The goal was set up by a foul on Willamette inside the penalty area. Perez-Cuellar sent the spot kick into the lower left section of the goal, eluding Garza, who dove low and in the correct direction.

The Blues grabbed a 2-1 advantage at 61:40 when Sawyer Valero scored. Valero was successful from 16 yards out and to the left of the goal, as he shot into the lower right corner. Lucas McAllister, who passed the ball to Valero, was credited with an assist.

LaFrance equalized at 68:02 on a shot from 15 yards that he placed in the upper right corner of the goal. Starr earned his first assist of the season.

With over 20 minutes remaining on the clock, both teams battled to take the lead. Willamette kept Whitman's fast-paced counter-attack from adding a third goal, while Whitman prevented Starr, LaFrance, or another Willamette player from breaking the tie. WU outshot the Blues 3-2 during the closing run. The final shot of the game was taken by Tiago Palhetas (Fy., M/F, Mississauga, ON, Canada/Our Lady of Mount Carmel) for the Bearcats at 89:36 and was saved by Jones.

Willamette will be back in action in just two days, as the Bearcats will take on Lewis & Clark College on Tuesday, Oct. 3 in Portland, Oregon. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. PDT at Griswold Stadium. The game was originally scheduled for Sept. 16, but it was postponed due to health and safety protocols. It will be the first-ever NWC game in men's soccer between the Bearcats and the Pioneers. L&C, which added men's soccer last season, is competing in the NWC for the first time this year.