Men's Soccer Ties Whitman, 1-1

By Sara Elcano, Assistant Athletics Communications Director

SALEM, ORE. -- The Willamette University men's soccer team earned a 1-1 tie with Whitman College on Saturday, Oct. 2. The Bearcats moved to 3-5-2 overall and 3-1-2 in the Northwest Conference. Whitman is now 4-5-2 overall and 2-1-2 in the NWC.

Whitman scored the first goal of the game in the 11th minute. Michael Axelson scored his fourth goal of the season from three yards out off a flick header. He was assisted on the play by Leland Matthaeus.

The Bearcats evened the score on a goal by Brandon Shiluk (Fr., MF, Castro Valley, CA/Castro Valley HS). Shiluk scored on a header from six yards out at 26:45. He was assisted by Mike McGrew (So., MF, Portland, OR/Grant HS) and Etienne Galbreath (So., D, Portland, OR/Grant HS) on his first goal of the season.

Willamette attempted seven shots in the game while Whitman had 19 shots. The Missionaries held a 5-3 advantage in shots on goal. The game was heavy with foul calls as Whitman was called for 14 fouls and Willamette was credited with 26. Whitman played the final 10:05 of overtime with 10 men after Cooper Crosby was sent off with a second card at 99:55.

Matthaeus led all players with seven total shots, but placed just one shot on goal. Willamette's seven shots were taken by seven different players.

Eben Hellekson (Sr., GK, Honolulu, HI/University Laboratory School) played all 110 minutes in goal for WU. He recorded four saves.

Tim Shu was Whitman's 'keeper for the duration of the game. He allowed just the one goal and made two saves.

Willamette will play Whitworth University on Sunday, Oct. 3 at 2:30 p.m. (PDT) at Sparks Field.