Jensen Scores a Hat Trick to Lead Bearcats over Linfield, 3-2

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

McMINNVILLE, ORE. -- Trevor Jensen (Jr., MF, Chula Vista, CA/Bonita Vista HS) of Willamette University recorded three goals for a hat trick to lead the Bearcats over nearby rival Linfield College, 3-2, in Northwest Conference action on Saturday, Oct. 6.

Willamette upped its record to 5-6-1 overall, 2-4-1 in the NWC. Linfield moved to 5-6-0 overall, 3-4-0 in the NWC.

Jensen scored his first goal at 20:09 to pull Willamette into a 1-1 tie. He added a penalty kick goal at 38:06 for a 2-1 halftime lead, and completed the hat trick at 58:52 on an unassisted goal.

Tyler Sedlacek of Linfield cut the lead to 3-2 at 71:29, but the Wildcats were unable to score again. Linfield's first goal, which gave the home team 1-0 lead, was earned by Brad Dupea just 7:50 into the game.

The goal by Dupea was aided by a strong wind, as he found the net on a free kick restart from near midfield.

After Linfield moved in front early, the Bearcats responded with a quality effort during the remainder of the first half. The Bearcats outshot the Wildcats 11-2 over the first 45 minutes. The pressure paid off with Jensen's first goal. Jensen recorded his successful shot after a ball bounced of a defender's foot and fell where the WU forward could shoot on goal.

Willamette's second goal was set up by a Linfield handball in the penalty area. Jensen sent the penalty kick into the lower left corner of the goal. WU continued to hold a one-goal lead for the final 6:54 until halftime.

Just under 14 minutes into the second half, Jensen sent the ball into the net for the third time. He blasted a strong shot from 25 yards out that deflected off the right post and went across the goal line. WU held a 3-1 lead.

Sedlacek cut the margin in half with more than 28 minutes remaining. Tyler Repic began the play with a crossing pass from the right side on a free kick. Sedlacek received the pass and scored on a shot from inside Willamette's 18-yard box.

Erik Kaufman (Sr., F, Portland, OR/Grant HS), who led the Willamette offense with five total shots, took four of his shots after Linfield pulled within 3-2.

Kaufman's shot at 76:25 was saved by goalkeeper Scott Goodman, and his shot less than three minutes later went wide. Later, he managed two rapid-fire shots as the game passed the 86-minute mark, but his first attempt was blocked by a defender and his second shot was saved by Goodman.

The Wildcats earned a shot on goal at 87:41, as Michael Swain attempted to tie the score, but WU goalkeeper Brayden Calder (Fr., Philomath, OR/Philomath HS) registered a save.

Calder achieved a total of four saves to record the win. Goodman finished with two saves for Linfield.

Willamette ended the game with a 20-9 edge in total shots, but the Wildcats held a 6-5 margin in shots on goal. The Bearcats attained a 3-1 advantage in corner kicks.

The win started a string of five consecutive road games for Willamette. The Bearcats will return to action on Saturday, Oct. 13, when they travel to Newberg, Ore., to take on NWC opponent George Fox University. Game time is set for 2:30 p.m. (PDT).

WU will play at Pacific University on Oct. 14, Pacific Lutheran University on Oct. 20 and University of Puget Sound on Oct. 21 before ending the road trip. The Bearcats' next home game is on Oct. 27 against Whitworth University.