By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Drew Alexander (So., D, San Mateo, CA/Junipero Serra HS) of Willamette University stole the ball 24 yards from goal and scored from 11 yards out with 5:56 left to send the Bearcats to a 2-1 win over Pacific Lutheran University on Saturday, Nov. 4 at Sparks Field. Alexander scored the game-winning goal just 41 seconds after subbing into the game for his only shift of the afternoon.

Alexander, a defender with strong offensive skills, stole the ball from a PLU defender only a few yards from the Lutes' penalty area. Alexander moved forward with possession. When he neared the goal, he shot into the lower left corner of the net. It was his third goal of the season.

WU improved to 8-6-1 in the Northwest Conference and to 8-10-1 overall. PLU lost in conference play for the first time this year, but the Lutes have clinched the NWC title at 13-1-2. The Lutes are 14-2-4 on the season.

The Bearcats never trailed in the contest. Andrew Reed (Jr., M/F, Portland, OR/Franklin HS) gave Willamette a 1-0 advantage when he scored just 9:15 into the game. The play began when Reed moved through two defenders and shot from 12 yards out. PLU goalie Nicholas Gaston saved the shot, but the rebound went back to Reed. As he moved toward the end line on the right side, Reed shot from five yards into the middle portion of the goal.

Willamette continued to hold the lead at halftime. PLU owned a 12-8 margin in total shots and a 3-2 lead in shots on goal at the break.

The Lutes tied the score at 73:02 on a counter-attack goal. After a corner kick by the Bearcats, the Lutes gained control and took the ball forward on the right side. Near midfield, Connor O'Brien sent a through-pass to Robby Guyer, who kept possession until he reached the top of the 18-yard box. He passed to Trevor Thompson, who shot from nine yards near the left post into the middle of the net.

Alexander's goal put WU back in front 2-1 after just over 84 minutes. The Lutes soon created a shot for Thompson, but it was blocked by the Willamette defense. Pacific Lutheran also earned a corner kick as the game entered the final minute. The corner eventually led to a shot by Craig Johson that went wide at 89:38.

PLU outshot the Bearcats 26-13 overall and 7-5 in shots on goal. The Bearcats held a 6-5 edge in corner kicks.

Willamette's defenders staunchly defended the goal throughout the game, as they blocked 11 shots. WU goalkeeper Pierluca Carnovale (Sr., GK, Seattle, WA/Ballard HS) also excelled, as he registered six saves, including three high-quality, close-range shots he kept out of the net. The Lutes blocked three of Willamette's shots, while Gaston recorded three saves in goal.

The Bearcats will close the season on Sunday, Nov. 5 when they travel to Forest Grove, Oregon, to take on NWC rival Pacific University. Game time is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. PST.