Thompson Scores Goal with 3:53 Left, as Willamette Wins at Pacific, 1-0

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

FOREST GROVE, ORE. -- Jesse Thompson (Jr., F, Santa Ynez, CA/Santa Ynez HS) scored on a shot from 10 yards out with 3:53 remaining in the game to send Willamette University to a 1-0 victory over Pacific University on Sunday, Oct. 19 at Hanson Stadium. Thompson had re-entered the game less than a minute before scoring the game-winner.

The Bearcats improved to 10-4-1 on the season and moved into a tie for first place in the Northwest Conference at 7-1-1. Pacific fell to 5-8-1 overall, 2-6-1 in the NWC.

Willamette has 22 points in the NWC standings, matching the University of Puget Sound, which upped its conference record to 7-1-1 with a 3-0 home win against Whitman College on Sunday. Whitworth University has a 6-1-2 record and 20 points in the NWC standings after outscoring Pacific Lutheran University, 4-3.

Thompson's goal was created following a lengthy pass from defender Kevin Martin (Sr., D, Cardiff, CA/Francis Parker School).

Martin controlled the ball in the midfield and was 50 yards from goal when he passed it over the Pacific defense to Thompson. The ball bounced in the box with perfect timing. After settling the ball and eluding a defender at the same time, Thompson shot into the left side of the goal.

"Kevin put a great ball in. I took it down one-touch with my right foot, and then it was rolling there just right for me, and I hit it with the outside of my foot to the far post," Thompson said.

Thompson, who started for the third time this season, was playing in his 10th game of the year. He also started the second half, but was subbed out partway through the period. He was ready when the time came to rejoin the action.

"We had been trying all game to have our wings and forwards make diagonal runs and play balls in from the back," Thompson said.

"It was exciting anyway," Thompson added about the strategy working so quickly after he returned to the field. "It was good to get three points."

Willamette outshot Pacific 10-4 for the game, with four of the Bearcats' shots on target. WU held Pacific without a shot on goal, as 'keeper Braydon Calder (Jr., GK, Philomath, OR/Philomath HS) picked up his second complete-game shutout of the season. Leyton Thommasen registered three saves for the Boxers.

The Bearcats held possession for significant stretches during the game, but both teams found it difficult to create top scoring chances.

Opportunities were particularly sparse in the first half, although Fabian Guerrero (So., F, Salem, OR/South Salem HS) forced Thomasen into a save in the first minute and Luke Falcone (Sr., D, Boulder, CO/Colorado Rocky Mountain School) missed wide left following a free kick by Stefan Wutte (So., D, Dallas, OR/West Salem HS) in the seventh minute.

Pacific managed two shots by Esteban Cruz off a corner kick in the 28th minutes, but both shots went high.

The action opened up it bit for the Bearcats in the second half. Thompson had a free header at 60:46 that went just over the crossbar. Alan Hernandez (Fr., F, Tigard, OR/Tigard HS) took a shot at 61:47 that Thommasen saved.

A good chance for Pacific occurred at 72:19 when Jared Otani shot high and to the right of the goal after receiving a pass from Diego Lopes. The play began with a free kick near midfield, with the ball going to Lopes, who dribbled toward the end line before passing to Otani. The scoring attempt by Otani was the Boxers' final shot of the game.

Willamette will play its next game at Pacific Lutheran on Saturday, Oct. 25. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. (PDT).