UC-Santa Cruz Holds Off Bearcats, 3-2, at Sparks Field

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

SALEM, ORE. -- The University of California-Santa Cruz built a 3-1 lead in the second half and then held off a rally by Willamette University, as the Banana Slugs defeated the Bearcats, 3-2, at Sparks Field on Friday, Sept. 12. UC-Santa Cruz upped its record 4-1-1. Willamette fell to 2-3-0.

A goal by Brock Kobayashi gave the Banana Slugs a 1-0 lead at 14:42. He scored from 10-yard out and sent the ball toward the right post. He scored after receiving a pass from the left by Brent Godlewski.

Willamette equalized at 39:16 on a 30-yard strike by Stefan Wutte (So., D, Dallas, OR/West Salem HS) from the left side. His shot blasted into the upper right portion of the goal. He received an assist from Jack Elton (So., D, Corte Madera, CA/Redwood HS).

The score remained 1-1 at halftime, but UC-Santa Cruz moved in front again at the 51:53 mark. Sebastian Mortimer (Jr., D, Moscow, ID/Moscow HS) of Willamette tripped Zach Hummel in the penalty area and the Banana Slugs were awarded a penalty kick. Mark Barbosa converted the kick for a 2-1 lead.

Hummel scored the next goal seven minutes later at 58:54, giving the Banan Slugs a 3-1 advantage, as he redirected a cross with a header from eight yards out. Sean Sprague earned an assist on the play.

Willamette cut the margin to 3-2 when Yazan Hishmeh (Jr., F, Ventura, CA/Saint Bonaventure HS) converted a penalty kick at 76:31. The penalty kick followed a handball on Nassim Lemseffer of UCSC.

The Bearcats created five more shots but were unable to achieve a tying goal. Hishmeh's header with 2:15 left in the game was best chance in the closing minutes. It required a quality save from UCSC goalkeeper David Vivian. Hishmeh also placed a shot wide left with 1:08 remaining.

Vivian finished the game with six saves to record the win. Willamette goalkeeper Braydon Calder (Jr., GK, Philomath, OR/Philomath HS) registered eight saves.

WU earned a 20-15 advantage in total shots, but UCSC claimed an 11-10 edge in shots on goal. Donald Fuller of Santa Cruz led all players with four shots. Hishmeh topped Willamette with five shots, including three shots on goal.

Each team attained five corner kicks, with the Banana Slugs recording all five of theirs in the first half. WU was credited with three corners in the first half and two in the second half.

Willamette will return to action on Saturday night (Sept. 13) against Multnomah University. Game time at Sparks Field is set for 7 p.m. (PDT).