Willamette Men Fall at Home to Whitman

By Sara Brooks, Assistant Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6219 and Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- The Willamette University men's soccer team was defeated by the visiting Whitman College Missionaries, 2-1, at Sparks Field on Saturday, Sept. 20. After the teams played to a 0-0 tie through the first half, the Missionaries scored early in the second half, added a goal with under six minutes left and survived after allowing Willamette's only score with less than two minutes remaining.

The Bearcats fell to 1-4 overall, 0-1 in the Northwest Conference. Whitman improved to 3-0-4, 1-0 in the NWC.

Sam Chasan ended the scoreless stretch with a goal at 50:58. He scored on a close-range shot after receiving a crossing pass from Marc Nabelek. Cole Rathjen added WC's insurance goal at 84:12. Rathjen's goal also was recorded from close-range, with Greg Phillips earning an assist.

Erick Kaufman (Fr., F, Portland, OR/Grant HS) provided the only goal for the Bearcats at 88:10, as he scored on a rebound off Whitman goalkeeper Brett Axelrod. Casey Dineen (Jr., MF, Portland, OR/Jesuit HS) earned an assist on the play.

Kaufman has scored a goal in four consecutive games. He has hit the nets in five consecutive contests overall, including an exhibition match against Chemeketa Community College this past Monday (Sept. 15).

Willamette outshot Whitman 12-6 overall and 8-6 in shots on goal. The Bearcats also achieved a 5-1 advantage in corner kicks.

Axelrod had to provide the Missionaries with seven saves to preserve the win. WU goalie Mark Bennett (Jr., Salt Late City, UT/West HS) made four saves.

Willamette remains at home on Sunday, Sept. 21 to take on Whitworth University in an NWC match. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. (PDT).