2008-09 Men's Soccer News

Season
Bearcats Announce Men's Soccer Player Awards
Bearcats Announce Men's Soccer Player Awards

SALEM, ORE. -- The 2008 Willamette University men's soccer player awards have been decided. Each year, the players vote for the Most Valuable Player, Most Improved Player, Most Inspirational Player, and the Leadership Award.

Men's Soccer Set for First Recruit Weekend, Feb. 13-14
Men's Soccer Set for First Recruit Weekend, Feb. 13-14

SALEM, ORE. -- The Willamette University men's soccer team is hosting the first of two Recruit Weekends starting Friday, Feb. 13 and continuing on Saturday, Feb. 14. The weekend provides an opportunity for soccer players to see the Willamette campus, visit with admissions and financial aid counselors, meet with Head Coach Nelson Larson and stay with team members in campus dorms.

Dineen Earns Second Team All-NWC Recognition
Dineen Earns Second Team All-NWC Recognition

SALEM, ORE. -- Junior midfielder Casey Dineen (Portland, OR/Jesuit HS), who was Willamette University's top creative midfielder this season, has been chosen Second Team All-Northwest Conference in men's soccer, as selected by the NWC head coaches. Willamette freshman forward Erik Kaufman (Portland, OR/Grant HS) received Honorable Mention All-NWC honors.

Bearcats Lose to Puget Sound in Season Finale, 2-0
Bearcats Lose to Puget Sound in Season Finale, 2-0

TACOMA, WASH. -- The University of Puget Sound used two goals in the first half to defeat visiting Willamette University, 2-0, in a Northwest Conference game on Saturday, Nov. 8. UPS advanced its record to 10-7-2 overall, 8-4-2 in the NWC. Willamette completed its season at 3-14-1, including 2-11-1 in the NWC.

Five Linfield Players Score in Second Half for 5-0 Win over Bearcats
Five Linfield Players Score in Second Half for 5-0 Win over Bearcats

SALEM, ORE. -- Linfield College scored five goals by five different players in the second half, as the Wildcats pulled away from a 0-0 halftime tie for a 5-0 win over Willamette University, in a Northwest Conference match on Wednesday, Nov. 5. Linfield evened its overall record at 9-9, while improving to 5-8 in the NWC. Willamette fell to 3-13-1 overall, 2-10-1 in the NWC.

Pacific Scores Twice in First Half for 2-0 Win over Bearcats
Pacific Scores Twice in First Half for 2-0 Win over Bearcats

FOREST GROVE, ORE. -- Pacific University scored two goals in a 19-second span in the first half, as the Boxers defeated Willamette University, 2-0, in a Northwest Conference game on Sunday, Nov. 2. Pacific upped its record to 10-4-4 overall, 6-2-4 in the NWC. The Bearcats dropped to 3-12-1, 2-9-1 in the NWC.

Bennett Makes 12 Saves, but Lutes Defeat Bearcats, 2-0
Bennett Makes 12 Saves, but Lutes Defeat Bearcats, 2-0

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University goalkeeper Mark Bennett (Jr., Salt Lake City, UT/West HS) earned 12 saves, including several spectacular plays, but Pacific Lutheran University managed to score one goal in each half for a 2-0 victory over the Bearcats on Saturday, Nov. 1 at Sparks Field. Ricky Morales and Derek Karamatic scored the goals for Pacific Lutheran.

Gutierrez and Kaufman Lead Bearcats to 2-0 Win over George Fox
Gutierrez and Kaufman Lead Bearcats to 2-0 Win over George Fox

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University recorded one goal in each half to defeat George Fox University, 2-0, in a Northwest Conference men's soccer game on Saturday, Oct. 25 at Sparks Field. The Bearcats claimed the victory on the strength of goals by Ivan Gutierrez (Sr., MF, Stayton, OR/Cathedral HS) and Erik Kaufman's (Fr., F, Portland, OR/Grant HS).

Whitman Scores in First Overtime to Edge Bearcats, 2-1
Whitman Scores in First Overtime to Edge Bearcats, 2-1

WALLA WALLA, WASH. -- Stephen Phillips of Whitman College scored a goal with 2:29 left in the first overtime period, as the Missionaries slipped past Willamette University, 2-1, in a Northwest Conference game on Saturday, Oct. 19. Whitman upped its season record to 8-1-6, including 6-1-2 (20 points, second place) in the NWC. The Bearcats fell to 2-10-1 overall, 1-7-1 in the NWC.

Pirates Shut Out Willamette 6-0 in NWC Action
Pirates Shut Out Willamette 6-0 in NWC Action

SPOKANE, WASH. -- The leaders in the Northwest Conference men's soccer standings, the Whitworth University Pirates, shut out Willamette University 6-0 on Saturday, Oct. 18 to improve to 10-2-1 overall, 6-2-0 in the NWC. Willamette dropped to 2-9-1 overall, 1-6-1 in conference play.

Puget Sound Slips Past Willamette, 1-0
Puget Sound Slips Past Willamette, 1-0

SALEM, ORE. -- The Willamette University Bearcats outshot the University of Puget Sound 18-10 and owned a 10-8 edge in shots on goal, but the Loggers prevailed 1-0 in a Northwest Conference game on Saturday, Oct. 11 at Sparks Field. USP moved to 5-5-2 on the season, 3-2-2 in the NWC, while Willamette fell to 2-8-1 overall, 1-5-1 in the NWC.

Linfield Tallies Two Goals in Second Half, Downs Bearcats, 2-0
Linfield Tallies Two Goals in Second Half, Downs Bearcats, 2-0

McMINNVILLE, ORE. -- Linfield College scored twice in the second half, including an insurance goal with 1:48 remaining, as the Wildcats defeated Willamette University, 2-0, in Northwest Conference action on Wednesday, Oct. 8. Linfield moved to 6-5 on the season, 2-4 in the NWC. Willamette fell to 2-7-1 overall, 1-4-1 in the conference.

Pacific Lutheran Slips Past Bearcats, 1-0
Pacific Lutheran Slips Past Bearcats, 1-0

TACOMA, WASH. -- Pacific Lutheran University scored a goal in the first half and shut out Willamette University for the full 90 minutes, as the Lutes slipped past the Bearcats, 1-0, in a Northwest conference game on Sunday, Oct. 5. PLU upped its record to 4-5-1 overall, including 2-2-1 in the NWC. Willamette fell to 2-6-1 overall, 1-3-1 in the NWC.

Bearcats and Boxers Play to 1-1 Tie in NWC Soccer
Bearcats and Boxers Play to 1-1 Tie in NWC Soccer

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University and Pacific University battled for 110 minutes before the teams finished their Northwest Conference game in a 1-1 double-overtime tie. Willamette moved to 2-5-1 overall, 1-2-1 in the NWC. Pacific ended the game at 5-2-3 overall, 1-0-3 in the NWC.

Willamette Scores Twice in First Half in 2-0 Win over George Fox
Willamette Scores Twice in First Half in 2-0 Win over George Fox

NEWBERG, ORE. -- Erik Kaufman (Fr., F, Portland, OR/Grant HS) and Sam Hodder (Sr., MF/F, Albuquerque, NM/Sandia Prep) each scored a goal in the first half, leading Willamette University to a 2-0 victory over George Fox University, in Northwest Conference play on Saturday, Sept. 27. The Bearcats upped their record to 2-5 overall, 1-2 in the NWC. George Fox dropped to 1-5-3 overall, 0-1-2 in the NWC.

John Prugh and Eddy Prugh Score for Whitworth in 2-0 Win over Willamette
John Prugh and Eddy Prugh Score for Whitworth in 2-0 Win over Willamette

SALEM, ORE. -- Whitworth University received goals from John Prugh and Eddy Prugh on Sunday, Sept. 21 at Sparks Field, as the visiting Pirates defeated Willamette University, 2-0, to remain undefeated on the season. Whitworh is now 6-0-1 overall and 2-0 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette fell to 1-5 overall, 0-2in the NWC.