Willamette Defeats Puget Sound 1-0 to Take First Place in NWC Standings

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

TACOMA, WASH. -- Yazan Hishmeh (Jr., F, Ventura, CA/Saint Bonaventure HS) scored his 13th goal the season and the Willamette University defense shut out University of Puget Sound, as the Bearcats defeated the Loggers, 1-0, on Sunday, Oct. 26 to claim sole possession of first place in the Northwest Conference standings.

Willamette upped its record to 12-4-1 on the season, including 9-1-1 (28 points) in the NWC. Puget Sound, which began the day tied with the Bearcats for first place, slipped to 11-4-2 overall, 8-2-1 (25 points) in the NWC. The Bearcats now hold a two-point lead in the standings over Whitworth University (8-1-2, 26 points).

Whitworth kept pace with Willamette by downing George Fox University, 2-1, in overtime, after tying the game with 2:50 left in regulation. The Pirates scored the winning goal just 31 seconds into overtime.

In the Bearcats' battle with Puget Sound, Hishmeh scored at 32:02 on a header following a corner kick taken by Royce Romero (Fr., MF, Waipahu, HI/Punahou School). It was Hishmeh's seventh game-winning goal of the season. His 13 goals are tied with Micheal Ramos of Whitworth for the NWC lead. Romero earned his first collegiate assist.

The game featured limited scoring opportunities. Willamette earned a slim 6-5 advantage in total shots, with each team taking just two shots in the second half. UPS achieved a 3-2 edge in shots on goal. The Loggers also gained an 8-2 margin in corner kicks, including 7-1 in the first half, but Willamette's one corner in the first 45 minutes made the difference.

WU goalkeeper Braydon Calder (Jr., GK, Philomath, OR/Philomath HS) registered his fourth complete game shutout of the season with three saves. Nathan King of Puget Sound made one save while taking the loss. King earned the save when he tipped the ball out of danger on a breakaway shot by Adam Lewis (Sr., MF, Corvallis, OR/Crescent Valley HS/Pomona-Pitzer) at 31:09.

Hishmeh was the only Bearcat with two shots during the game. Andrew White achieved two shots for the Loggers.

It was a physical game, with Willamette picking up 23 fouls, while UPS was called for six fouls. The Bearcats received all five yellow cards issued during the match.

Willamette will put first place on the line again on Saturday, Nov. 1, when the Bearcats host Whitworth. Game time at Sparks Field is set for 1:30 p.m. (PDT) following the Willamette women's soccer game with the Pirates.