Hishmeh Scores as Bearcats Down Linfield, 1-0, in Men's Soccer

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

McMINNVILLE, ORE. -- Yazan Hishmeh (Jr., F, Ventura, CA/Saint Bonaventure HS) scored the game's only goal at 70:30 and the Willamette University Bearcats defeated archrival Linfield College, 1-0, on Saturday, Oct. 11 in a Northwest Conference game.

Hishmeh scored on a shot from the top of the penalty area after receiving a pass from the right side by Julian Hanlon-Austin (So., F, Portland, OR/Grant HS). Hishmeh then moved past two defenders while going to his right. He was near the center of the field when he shot the ball into the right side of the net.

It was Hishmeh's team-leading 11th goal of the season and his fifth game-winning goal of the year.

WU improved to 8-4-1 overall 5-1-1 in the Northwest Conference. Linfield fell to 4-6-1 overall, 2-4-1 in the NWC.

Linfield outshot Willamette 10-8 in the first half, including a 4-2 edge in shots on goal. At the 16:47 mark, Calder made a key save, as Moi Diaz blasted a powerful shot from 30 yards out. The ball was sent directly at Calder, but went a bit above the 5'9" goalie. Calder reached up and forced the ball over the cross bar.

Less than a minute later, the Bearcats had a chance to score on a counter-attack. Hanlon-Austin had possession in the middle of the field and noticed that Linfield's starting goalie, Grant Loriaux was well off his line. Austin chipped the ball from about 35 yards out, but his shot missed to the right of the goal.

Luke Falcone (Sr., D, Boulder, CO/Colorado Rocky Mountain School) of Willamette received a red card just over 10 minutes into the second half at 56:01 for a collision with a Linfield player. WU played with only 10 men for the next 10:49.

The teams returned to even strength when Loriaux was red-carded at 66:50. Loriaux was given the red card for tripping Hishmeh about seven yards from the sideline and 23 yards from the end line, as the Linfield goalie ventured well outside his own penalty area to deal with Hishmeh on a counter-attack.

Hishmeh scored the game's only goal 3:40 later with back-up 'keeper Jack O'Keefe in goal for the Wildcats.

Linfield ended the game with a 21-14 advantage in total shots. Even so, each team earned four shots on goal. Calder recorded four saves for the Bearcats, while achieving his second complete-game shutout of the season. Loriaux registered two saves and O'Keefe made one save for Linfield.

Willamette claimed a 6-5 edge in corner kicks, including a 5-3 margin in the first half.

The teams combined for the two red cards plus five yellow cards. Yellows went to Alexander Gosselin and Brian DeGrandmont of Linfield, and to Tyler Yates, Royce Romero and Sam Gonzalez of Willamette.

WU will be back in action on Friday, Oct. 17 at George Fox University. Game time in Newberg, Ore., is scheduled for 6 p.m. (PDT).