Whitman Pulls Away from Willamette in Second Half, 3-1

By Timothy Walsh, Athletics Communications Writer

WALLA WALLA, WASH. -- Whitman College scored the game's final three goals, including two in the second half, as the Missionaries pulled away from Willamette University for a 3-1 win in a Northwest Conference men's soccer match on Sunday, Nov. 3.

Whitman improved its record to 9-8-2, including 8-4-1 in the NWC. Willamette dropped to 9-6-3 overall, and 5-5-3 in the NWC.

Sebastian Mortimer (So., D, Moscow, ID/Moscow HS) opened the scoring at 12:37, when Trevor Jensen(Sr., MF, Chula Vista, CA/Bonita Vista HS) sent a corner kick into the penalty area. Mortimer collected the service and shot past Whitman goalkeeper Stuart Ellsworth for the first goal of his WU career.

The Missionaries answered just four minutes later, at 16:47, to tie the game at 1-1. Alex Barsher sent a cross into the box that found Jesse Mirman, who beat WU keeper Braydon Calder(So., Philomath, OR/Philomath HS) with a shot into the left side of the goal.

Neither team scored during the remainder of the first half, though Whitman earned the majority of the chances. The Missionaries held a 16-4 advantage in total shots over the first 45 minutes; however, Willamette owned a 3-0 edge corner kicks.

Whitman took the lead for good just over 12 minutes into the second half on a on a shot by Barsher at 57:15. Barsher's unassisted goal deflected off Calder's hands and into the net.

The Missionaries extended their advantage to 3-1 at 73:02 on another unassisted goal, this time by Sam Perkins, who fired past Calder into the right side of the goal.

For the game, Whitman achieved a 25-9 margin in total shots, while placing nine more shots on goal than the Bearcats (14-5). Willamette finished the game with seven corner kicks to the Missionaries' four.

Daniel Kim of Whitman led all players with five shots, including three shots on goal, while Barsher, Mirman, and Junpei Tsuji each launched four shots. Mortimer and Jensen finished with two shots apiece for the Bearcats, with each player placing one shot on target.

Ellsworth played all 90 minutes in the nets for the Missionaries and achieved four saves to pick up the win, whileCalder took the loss for Willamette despite providing the Bearcats with 11 saves.

The Bearcats will conclude the 2013 regular season, andattempt to achieve Willamette's first back-to-back 10-win seasons since 1990-91, with a match against archrival Linfield College in McMinnville, Ore., on Saturday, Nov. 9. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. (PST).