Bearcats Dominate Second Half, but Can't Get Equalizer in 1-0 Loss to Whitman

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

SALEM, ORE. -- Junpei Tsuji scored just 2:04 into the game on an assist from Sam Freedman and the Whitman College Missionaries held on the rest of the way for a 1-0 victory over Willamette University on Sunday, Oct. 2 at Sparks Field.

The Bearcats outshot Whitman 22-8, held an 8-3 edge in shots on goal and had 14 corner kicks, compared to three corners for the Missionaries. Willamette players were the first to touch many of the corners and other crosses in the Whitman box, but the Bearcats couldn't get an equalizing goal.

Whitman improved to 4-4-2 overall, including 4-2-0 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette dropped to 3-5-1, 2-4-0 in the NWC.

Two of Willamette's shots hit the crossbar. The first was a header by Brandon Shiluk (So., F, Castro Valley, CA/Castro Valley HS) in the first half at 27:02. The second also was a header, this time by Etienne Galbreath (Jr., D, Portland, OR/Grant HS) at 71:53.

WU outshot Whitman, 12-3, in the second half, with Whitman's third shot coming with one second left.

The goal by Tsuji was earned on a powerful strike from 16 yards out that went into the right side of the goal. He received a cross from the left side of the field on a pass by Sam Freedman, who earned an assist on the play.

Whitman goalie Michael Bathurst made seven saves to claim the shutout, while one Willamette shot was cleared near the goal line by a defender. WU goalie Alfredo Zuniga (Sr., Salem, OR/South Salem HS) earned two saves for the Bearcats.

Willamette will host nearby rival Linfield College on Saturday, Oct. 8 at Sparks Field. Game time is set for 5 p.m. (PDT).