Puget Sound Scores Twice Early, Pulls Away in Shutout of Bearcats

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

SALEM, ORE. -- The University of Puget Sound earned two goals in the first 22 minutes and added three goals in the second half, as the Loggers shut out Willamette University, 5-0, in a Northwest Conference game at Sparks Field on Sunday, Oct. 23. The Loggers held just an 11-8 advantage total shots, but 5 of their 8 shots that were on target found the net.

UPS advanced its record to 8-6-0, 7-4-0 in the NWC. Willamette went to 5-7-2 on the season, 4-6-1 in the NWC.

Andrew White registered the first goal for the Loggers 5:18 into the game. Colin McIntosh assisted on the play. After the ball was sent into the corner of the field, White gained control and shot from 12 yards out.

The Loggers' lead increased to 2-0 on a goal by Taylor Rietz at 21:23. After a pass from the left side of the field by Terence Blackburn, Rietz took a shot that hit the crossbar and bounced into the net.

Puget Sound owned a slim 5-4 edge in shots at halftime but maintained the two-goal lead.

Nearly 11 minutes into the second half, Blackburn scored for UPS on a 6-yard shot that deflected off WU goalkeeper Alfredo Zuniga (Sr., Salem, OR/South Salem HS). White garnered an assist on the goal.

A foul inside the Willamette penalty area at 68:50 led to the fourth goal for the Loggers. Willamette's Kevin Martin (So., D, Cardiff, CA/Francis Parker School) was called for the infraction and received a red card. Landon Gauthier successfully took the penalty kick.

UPS earned the final goal at 74:42 with the Bearcats playing short a man following Martin's red card. The goal was scored by Peter Russell unassisted, as he placed the ball into the lower left corner of the net.

For the game, Puget Sound held an 8-4 margin in shots on goal. Willamette owned a 7-2 advantage in corner kicks.

Goalkeeper Chris McDonald of UPS earned four saves while recording the shutout. Zuniga was credited with one save for Willamette. James Neal (So., GK, Seattle, WA/Ballard HS), who played the final 15:18 in goal for the Bearcats, registered two saves.

Prior to the game, Willamette honored the three seniors on this year's team. WU's seniors are Zuniga, in his fourth year with the Bearcats; Neal who is in just his second year with the team, but has senior academic standing; and Brendan Dineen (D, Portland, OR/Grant HS), who is in his fourth season at Willamette.

Willamette will play at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Wash., on Saturday, Oct. 29, in NWC action. Game time is slated for 2:30 p.m. (PDT).