Willamette Ties Whitworth 0-0 in Two Overtimes to Remain in First Place

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

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University, ranked #9 in the West Region of NCAA Division III, battled Whitworth University, ranked #3 in the West Region, to a 0-0 tie in two overtimes on Saturday, Nov. 1 at Sparks Field. Whitworth also is ranked #22 in the nation in the NCAA Division III Poll released by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).

The Bearcats moved to 12-4-2 overall, while Whitworth ended the game at 13-1-3 on the season. With the tie, Willamette remained in first place in the Northwest Conference at 9-1-2 (29 points). University of Puget Sound is second at 9-2-1 (28 points) and Whitworth is third at 8-1-3 (27 points).

In Saturday's game, Braydon Calder (Jr., GK, Philomath, OR/Philomath HS) of Willamette achieved nine saves. He made two saves in the second overtime, including a stop on Aaron Yanagi's shot with five second left.

After the ball was kicked back into box, Samual Jarrett of Whitworth sent a shot into the goal two seconds after time expired.

Willamette kept significant possession in the first half, but the Pirates achieved an 8-2 advantage in total shots during the first 45 minutes. Three of Whitworth's shot were on target, but Calder recorded three saves. Dangerous forwards Michael Ramos and Sam Engle each had two shots for Whitworth in the first half.

The Pirates gained an 8-6 edge in total shots in the second half, with four more shots on goal. Calder added four more saved, including one at 70:44 on a shot by Kyle Cacoyannis and another on a shot by Ramos at 85:58. Following the save on Ramos, Engle followed up with a header that went wide left.

Adam Lewis (Sr., MF, Corvallis, OR/Crescent Valley HS/Pomona-Pitzer) earned Willamette's only shot on goal at 61:09. Whitworth goalie Tommy Costa made a save on the play.

Each team set the pace at various times in the second half, but the defenses and goalkeepers made it difficult to get clear scoring chances. Willamette received a corner kick as the game entered the final minute of regulation, but the Bearcats were unable to get a shot.

Neither team took a shot in the first overtime, and Calder rejected both of Whitworth's shots in the second overtime.

In addition to his saves, Calder also controlled his area well, leaping up to bring down many crosses and other passes during the game. His attained his fifth solo shutout of the season, while going to 9-4-2 in goal. Costa finished with one save for his fourth shutout of the year.

The Pirates outshot Willamette 20-9 overall and 9-1 in shots on goal. Ramos and Engle each took four shots for Whitworth. Yazan Hishmeh (Jr., F, Ventura, CA/Saint Bonaventure HS) and Sebastian Mortimer (Jr., D, Moscow, ID/Moscow HS) each had two shots for Willamette. The Bearcats claimed a 4-2 edge in corner kicks.

With two teams battling for first place, it was no surprise that the game featured 47 fouls, with 28 on Willamette and 19 on Whitworth. A total of seven yellow cards were issued, including four on Willamette.

The Bearcats will be in action again on Sunday, Nov. 2, when they will take on Whitman College. Game time at Sparks Field is set for 1:30 p.m. (PDT).