Bearcats Fall to Nationally-Ranked Whitworth, 1-0, in NWC Contest

By Mark Colachico, Interim Assistant Athletics Communications Director

SPOKANE, WASH. -- Willamette University's men's soccer team could muster much offense against NCAA Division III's No. 12-ranked and unbeaten Whitworth University (Wash.) Sunday, as the Bearcats fell 1-0 at Whitworth's Soccer Fields.

With the win, Whitworth remains unbeaten so far this season at 6-0-1 overall and 1-0-1 in Northwest Conference games. Meanwhile, Willamette has its two-game winning streak snapped falling to 4-4-0 overall and 1-1-0 in NWC matches.

During a 17-shot barrage in the opening half, Whitworth scored the eventual game-winner on a goal by Michael Ramos at 26:24 off an assist by Sam Engle. Ramos' sixth goal of the season came on the Pirates' eighth shot in the opening 26-plus minutes of the contest.

Five minutes prior to Whitworth's goal, Willamette unleashed its only shot of the first half with Sebastian Mortimer (Jr., D, Moscow, ID/Moscow HS) rifled a ball just wide of the net.

Whitworth nearly extended its lead less than a minute after Ramos' goal when Eric Espinoza hit the cross bar at 27:14 before sending a rebound high of the net three seconds later.

The second half was more evenly played, as both teams tallied seven shots. Unfortunately for the Bearcats, none of the shots found the back of the net forcing Willamette to leave The Evergreen State without the potential upset over a nationally-ranked team.

Willamette'sgoalkeeper Braydon Calder (Jr., GK, Philomath, OR/Philomath HS) played the first 73-plus minutes and registered a game-high four saves before giving way to Julian Juarez (Jr., GK, Honolulu, HI/Punahou School) for the final 16-plus minutes where he was forced to make one save. Whitworth's Timmy Costa picked up the shutout victory despite having to make only one save.

Overall, Whitworth tallied 24 shots in the game that included 17 in the first half, whileWillamette registered eight shots. The Pirates held the advantage in corner kicks (9-to-6), while Willamette was whistled for 12 fouls versus Whitworth's five.

Willamette will return to action on Saturday, Sept. 27, against Pacific Lutheran University (Wash.). Game time is set for 2:30 p.m. (PDT) on Sparks Field in Salem.