Bearcats Battle Pacific into Overtime, but Boxers Win 2-1

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

SALEM, ORE. -- Pacific University defeated Willamette University, 2-1 in overtime, during Northwest Conference men's soccer action on Sunday, Sept. 26 at Sparks Field. Mike Iacolucci scored the winning goal when he shot a loose ball from 15 yards into the net 5:24 into the overtime session.

Pacific remained undefeated at 8-0-1 on the season and improved to 4-0-0 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette dropped to 3-5-1 overall, 1-3-0 in the NWC.

The Boxers opened the scoring just 2:15 into the game on a goal by Kizamu Tsutakawa. The goal was set up by passes from Sean Mills and Taylor Kane. Tsutakawa received the ball on the right side about nine yards out. He shot into the lower left corner of the net.

Willamette tied the score before halftime.

The Bearcats received the equalizer from Derek Johnson (So., F, Mercer Island, WA/Mercer Island HS) on a 15-yard shot to the upper right corner of the goal at 37:50. Mike McGrew (So., MF, Portland, OR/Grant HS) earned an assist on the play with a quality pass through the defense to help create the shot.

It was Johnson's second goal in as many days. He earned his first Willamette goal in Saturday's 2-0 victory over George Fox University.

After giving up a goal to the Boxers in the opening minutes, the Bearcats kept Pacific off the scoreboard for the remainder of the first half and all of the second half. Willamette gradually created an increasing number of offensive chances, but Pacific took more shots. Eben Hellekson (Sr., GK, Honolulu, HI/University Laboratory School) registered 10 saves for WU.

Hellekson made several quality saves and Willamette defenders cleared the ball away on a variety of occasions to prevent open shots by the Boxers.

Pacific owned a 17-6 edge in total shots at the end of regulation. In overtime, the Boxers managed three shots prior to the winning kick. Mason Nakama took one of the shots at 94:15 and hit the crossbar.

The winning goal, however, was set up by a lucky bounce.

Jasem Jaihouni was several yards outside the penalty area when he passed the ball into a group of Willamette defenders and Pacific attackers. The ball deflected into the box, where Iacolucci was wide open in the center of the field. He scored toward the right side of the goal.

Willamette argued for an offside call, but the goal stood, ending the game just past the midway point of the first overtime.

Pacific finished with a 21-6 advantage in shots, including a 12-2 margin in shots on goal. Andrew Stevermer recorded one save for the Boxers.

Willamette will play two more games at home next weekend. On Saturday, Oct. 2, the Bearcats will take on Whitman College at 2:30 p.m. (PDT). WU will host Whitworth University on Sunday, Oct. 3, also at 2:30 p.m.