Bearcats Defeat Missionaries, 2-1, in Men's Soccer

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

WALLA WALLA, WASH. -- Loftin Langsdorf (Fr., D/MF, Vancouver, WA/Columbia River HS) and Casey Dineen (Sr., MF, Portland, OR/Jesuit HS) each scored goals for Willamette University in the first half, leading the Bearcats to a 2-1 victory over Whitman College on Saturday, Oct. 3. The Northwest Conference win upped Willamette's record to 3-7 overall, 2-3 in the NWC. Whitman fell to 2-5-2 overall, 1-3-1 in the NWC.

Langsdorf put in the first goal just 12:16 into the match. His shot from 15 yards went into upper corner of the net. Erik Kaufman (So., F, Portland, OR/Grant HS) provided an assist on the play.

Willamette increased its lead to 2-0 with Dineen's goal at 28:01. Dineen scored on a lengthy header from 15 yards off the goal line. Pete Kline (Jr., D, Cheyenne, WY/Cheyenne Central HS) earned an assist.

The Missionaries cut the lead to a single goal when Andrew Clark scored an unassisted goal at 71:45. Willamette goalkeeper Eben Hellekson (Jr., Honolulu, HI/University Laboratory School) made two saves on Whitman shots in the final 6:14 of the game, preventing the Missionaries from tying the score. The second of the two saves was made with 23 seconds left.

Hellekson was credited with six saves overall, as he recorded the win. Devin Kuh made three saves for the Missionaries and one shot was cleared by a Whitman defender.

Willamette outshot Whitman, 13-11, but both teams had seven shots in the second half. Whitman finished the game with a 7-6 advantage in shots on goal. Both teams earned three corner kicks.

The Bearcats will play at Whitworth University in Spokane, Wash., on Sunday, Oct. 4. Game time is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. (PDT).