Puget Sound Slips Past Bearcats 1-0 on Goal in 11th Minute

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

SALEM, ORE. -- The University of Puget Sound, ranked #4 in the West Region of NCAA Division III, scored a goal in the 11th minute and held on for a 1-0 victory over Willamette University in a Northwest Conference men's soccer game on Sunday, Oct. 27 at Sparks Field.

Carson Swope of Puget Sound scored the game's only goal on a shot from five yards at 10:35. He was assisted by Oliver Field and Sean Ryan. Field provided a cross from the left side, while Ryan began the play with a steal in PLU's defensive half of the field, followed by a pass down the line. Field took the ball to within 10 yards of the end line then sent the ball to Swope.

Puget Sound improved to 12-4-0 on the season. The Loggers lead the Northwest Conference standings with a 10-1-0 record (30 points). Willamette moved to 9-5-2 overall, including 5-4-2 in the NWC (17 points). The Bearcats are tied with Pacific Lutheran University for fourth place. The Lutes, also 5-4-2, defeated Linfield College 3-0 on Sunday.

The Loggers had most of the play in the first 10 to 15 minutes of Sunday's game. After Swope scored, the pressure from UPS led to two more quality shots.

Ryan almost scored for the Loggers at 12:12 with a powerful shot from the right side, but WU goalkeeper Braydon Calder (So., GK, Philomath, OR/Philomath HS) kept the ball out of the net with a diving save.

Swope created another solid chance about 30 seconds later when his shot from near the top of the the penalty area was cleared off the goal line by Sebastian Mortimer (So., D, Moscow, ID/Moscow HS) .

The Bearcats gradually kept more possession and created some offensive chances. At halftime, both teams had three shots overall, with UPS holding a 3-1 lead in shots on goal.

Willamette outshot the Loggers 3-2 in the second half, including a 2-1 edge in shots on goal. In addition, the Bearcats created significant possession in the midfield and kept Puget Sound's opportunities to a minimum. The Loggers, who held a 6-1 advantage in corner kicks during the first half, achieved just one in the second half, while WU earned four.

Mortimer took two of Willamette's shots in rapid succession less than six minutes into the second half. Both shots were headers following a corner kick taken by Trevor Jensen (Sr., MF, Chula Vista, CA/Bonita Vista HS) at 50:34. Mortimer's first header was saved by UPS goalie Nathan King. The follow shot went over the goal.

The best shot of the second half for the Loggers was taken by Colin McIntosh at 53:30 following a corner kick by Ryan. Calder, who went to the ground when McIntosh shot, found a way to deflect the ball near the goal line. Jensen cleared the ball out of danger. Vincent McCluskey missed wide right on Puget Sound's final shot at 56:45.

Just over 33 minutes later, with the final seconds of the game ticking away, Tyler Yates (So., MF, Kailua-Kona, HI/Kealakehe HS) of Willamette blasted an accurate shot at 89:52. King registered a save to preserve the win, as the game ended eight seconds later.

Willamette earned a 6-5 margin in total shots, while the Loggers held a 4-3 edge in shots on goal. Calder and King each made three saves.

It was the final home contest for WU seniors Jensen, Robin Hryciuk (Sr., MF, Snohomish, WA/Glacier Peak HS), Will O'Neil (Sr., F, Vashon, WA/Vashon Island HS) and Adan Vazquez (Sr., F, Woodburn, OR/Woodburn HS), who were honored prior to the kickoff. All four seniors started the game for the Bearcats, with Jensen playing all 90 minutes.

Up next for the Bearcats is a road trip to play at Whitworth University on Saturday, Nov. 2 and at Whitman College on Sunday, Nov. 3. Willamette will conclude the regular season schedule on Saturday, Nov. 9 at Linfield College. Each game will start at 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time.