Bearcats Keep Pace for First Place in NWC with Win over Pacific Lutheran

By Evan Giddings, Student Assistant Athletics Communications Director

PARKLAND, WASH. -- Yazan Hishmeh (Jr., F, Ventura, CA/Saint Bonaventure HS) recorded his sixth-game winning goal of the season when he scored in the 72nd minute of the game to give Willamette University a 3-2 win over Pacific Lutheran University on Saturday, Oct. 25. The goal came after the ball bounced off the crossbar on a shot from JulianHanlon-Austin (So., F, Portland, OR/Grant HS) and Hishmeh shot it in off the rebound.

With the win, the Bearcats improve to 11-4-1 overall and remain tied for first place in the Northwest Conference standings with University of Puget Sound at 8-1-1. With the loss, Pacific Lutheran's overall record drops to 7-9, with an NWC record of 4-6.

The first half saw plenty action as Braydon Calder (Jr., Philomath, OR/Philomath HS) made two saves in the first 20 minutes and then finally in the 38th minute,PLU's Diego Aceves scored on ashot from 10 yards out in the center of the field. However, the 'Cats offense responded quickly, as less than five minutes later Sebastian Mortimer (Jr., D, Moscow, Idaho/Moscow HS) netted a ball from 18 yards, tying the game.

Then, 40 seconds before the end of the first half, the Lutes took the lead on a strong shot from the center of the field by TaraldWaerness.

Despite going into the second period down 2-1, the WU attack remained consistent, forcing a penalty shot in the 58th minute, with Alan Hernandez (Fr., F, Tigard, OR/Tigard HS) knocking it in. Throughout the rest of the second period, the Bearcat defense shut out the Lutes, despite allowing 13 shots. Calder had five saves during the half.

After trading shots back and forth, Pacific Lutheran maintained possession of the ball for the next 20 minutes, until Willamette seized the opportunity to attack. After stealing the ball, the 'Cats came down the field and Hishmeh took a shot that was saved by the PLU goalie MikeArguello. After bouncing off his hands, Hanlon-Austin took a shot on goal that banged off the crossbar, right to Hishmeh who finished off the play.

The goal was Hishmeh's 12th of the season, ranking first in the NWC. The first score of the game by Mortimer was his first goal of the season and the second by Hernandez was his fifth on the year.

Now keeping pace with Puget Sound for first place in the Northwest Conference, the Bearcats will look to Sunday, Oct. 26 when they take on the Loggers for sole possession of the top spot in conference play. Game time is set for 2:30 p.m. (PDT) in Tacoma, Wash., at Peyton Field.