Willamette Dominates Stats, Defeats Caltech, 3-0, at Sparks Field

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University kept possession for 61% of the game and earned a 22-4 edge in total shots, as the Bearcats shut out California Institute of Technology, 3-0, at Sparks Field on Friday, Sept. 13. The win improved Willamette to 3-0-2 on the season, with both ties against nationally ranked teams. Caltech dropped to 1-2.

The Bearcats led 1-0 at halftime after outshooting the Beavers, 10-1, over the first 45 minutes. Omar Dominguez Pascasio (Jr., D, Madras, OR/Madras HS) scored the first goal at 12:10 on a header from six yards out in the middle of the goal, following a corner kick taken by Edwin Ortiz (Fy., M, Salem, OR/North Salem HS).

Willamette extended its lead to 2-0 at 53:11 after another restart. Ryan Sato (So., MF, Sunnyvale, CA/Homestead HS) started the play with a free kick from 33-yard out in the middle of the field.

Sato's lofted pass went to Max Berner-Hays (Jr., D, Seattle, WA/Ballard HS) near the left post. Berner-Hays headed the ball to the top of the six-yard box near the right post. Mack van der Velde (Jr., D, Voorhout, Neth./Summit HS, Bend, OR) kicked the ball back across the goalmouth, where Tam Proctor (So., D, Seattle, WA/The Northwest School) scored on a three-yard shot near the left post.

Josh Schneider (So., F, Washoughal, WA/Camas HS) completed the scoring with a shot from just outside the penalty area at 71:06. Schneider's shot was on the ground and went through three defenders and a Willamette player as it headed toward the goal. Caltech goalie Richard Shim saw the ball too late, and it crossed the goal line at the attacking left post. Abdul Ali (Fy., D, West Linn, OR/West Linn HS) received an assist on the goal after starting the play with a pass on the ground from the right side.

"We are really happy with the result we were able to come away with and keep a clean sheet. The team worked very had and did well to create good goal scoring opportunities that built a good level of momentum as we prepare for conference play starting next weekend."
— Willamette Head Coach Jared Rust

In addition to gaining a 22-4 advantage in total shots, the Bearcats held a 6-2 margin in shots on goal. Nicholas Ballenger (Sr., F, Salem, OR/West Salem HS/Oregon State Univ.) smacked the crossbar with a powerful shot in the first half and just missed sending a rebound into the upper right corner in the second half. Willamette owned a 5-0 edge in corner kicks.

Ballenger and Yushiro Shiomi (So., D, Kyoto, Japan/TIUA) each took a team-high five total shots for the Bearcats. Schneider and Sato each finished with three total shots.

The best shot of the game for Caltech was by Rohan Mirchandani with WU leading 1-0 at 22:02. His his low shot from just outside the penalty area, was deflected away by Bearcat goalie Mason Kelliher (Sr., Wellington, N.Z./Wellington College) while going down to his right. Kelliher ended the game with two saves to record the shutout. Shim contributed three saves for the Beavers.

Willamette's next game is set for Saturday, Sept. 21 at Sparks Field against Whitman College. Game time is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. (PDT). The Bearcats will host Whitworth University on Sunday, Sept. 22 at 12 p.m.