Nationally-Ranked Concordia Defeats Bearcats, 2-0

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

PORTLAND, ORE. -- Concordia University (Ore.), ranked #11 in the NAIA, received goals from Septi Danciu and Michael Chamberlain to defeat Willamette University, 2-0, on Sunday, Sept. 8 at Tuominen Yard. With the win, Concordia improved to 3-1. Willamette, which competes in NCAA Division III, lost for the first time this season and fell to 3-1.

The Cavaliers took four shots in the first 10 minutes. Willamette's defense blocked a shot by Radcliffe McDougald at 2:17 and goalkeeper Julian Juarez (So., GK, Honolulu, HI/Punahou School) registered a save on a shot by Danciu at 6:19. Timur Zhividze missed wide right when he headed the ball on a corner kick at 6:44. Juarez stopped Zhividze's next shot at the 9:15 mark.

Trevor Jensen (Sr., MF, Chula Vista, CA/Bonita Vista HS) provided the first shot by the Bearcats at 12:04, forcing Scott Gross to make a save.

Danciu had the next two shots for Concordia. The first shot was blocked at 13:41 and the second shot found the net at 23:01 to give the Cavaliers a 1-0 advantage. The score followed a lengthy pass from CU goalkeeper Scott Gross and a flick-header from Chamberlain. Danciu controlled the ball, turned and completed the play with a shot from 12 yards.

Concordia remained in front 1-0 at halftime, after building a 9-4 margin in total shots and a 5-1 edge in shots on goal.

Each team hit a post in the first 10 minutes of the second half before Chamberlain provided the Cavaliers with an insurance score later in the period.

Quinn Sinser of CU had a shot bounce of the post at 49:27. Justin Hanlon-Austin (Fr., MF, Portland, OR/Grant HS) of Willamette narrowly missed tying the game when his shot hit the post at 54:32.

Chamberlain tallied the second goal for the Cavaliers at 72:00 on a 6-yard shot after Sinser provided a short cross from the left side.

Concordia earned an 11-3 advantage in total shots during the second half to claim a 20-7 margin for the game. The Cavaliers finished with 11 shots on target and limited the Bearcats to just one shot on goal.

The game featured a combined 14 corner kicks, as each team attained seven.

Danciu led all players with nine shots, including eight shots on goal. Seven of his shots were saved by Juarez, who recorded nine saves overall. Gross made one save for Concordia.

Willamette's next game is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 13, when the Bearcats will host the University of California-Santa Cruz at Sparks Field. Game time is set for 7 p.m. (PDT).