Hishmeh Earns a Hat Trick to Lead Bearcats over George Fox, 5-0

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

SALEM, ORE. --Yazan Hishmeh (So., F, Ventura, CA/Saint Bonaventure HS) scored a three-goal hat trick to lead Willamette University to a 5-0 victory over visiting George Fox University on Saturday, Oct. 19 at Sparks Field. Hishmeh registered his team leading fifth, sixth and seventh goals of the season.

Hishmeh's first two goals involved penalty kicks late in the first half, as he turned a 1-0 lead into a 3-0 advantage at the break. He converted the first penalty kick at 43:07. His second penalty kick, just 1:23 later at 44:30, was saved by GFU goalkeeper Ricardo Sotelo, but Hishmeh blasted the rebound into the net.

Midway through the second half, Hishmeh scored his third goal to give WU a 4-0 lead.

Also scoring goals for the Bearcats were Will O'Neil (Sr., F, Vashon, WA/Vashon Island HS) and Adan Vazquez (Sr., F, Woodburn, OR/Woodburn HS). Sam Zanetta (So., MF, Pasadena, CA/La Salle HS) contributed two assists.

O'Neil hit the net on a header following a throw-in for a 1-0 lead just 7:03 into the game. Jesse Thompson (So., F, Santa Ynez, CA/Bonita Vista HS) provided the throw-in, which set up O'Neil for the header from 5 yards out.

WU created several quality chances in the next few minutes. O'Neil sent a shot into the post at 8:20 and had a shot saved by Sotelo at 12:13. Thompson put a shot on frame that was cleared away at 14:10 by a George Fox defender.

GFU also produced opportunities in the early minutes. At 8:55, Miguel Lopez Ixta forced WU goalkeeper Julian Juarez (So., Honolulu, HI/Punahou School) to make a save. Sawyer Meek placed a shot over the goal at 10:28. After 15 minutes, WU owned a 5-3 edge in total shots.

The Bearcats maintained a 1-0 lead until the first penalty kick. Josh Scarth of GFU was called for a foul in the penalty area and Hishmeh scored on the ensuing kick.

Scarth drew the referee's whistle again just over a minute later to send Hishmeh to the penalty spot a second time. Sotelo's save rebounded straight to Hishmeh, who connected on the follow shot with 30 seconds left in the half.

Hishmeh completed his hat trick at 66:49 on a 7-yard shot after a corner kick by Zanetta. The ball went into the upper right corner of the goal.

Vazquez provided WU with the game's final goal at 73:01. He shot from 8 yards into the right side of the net. Zanetta earned an assist on the play.

Willamette outshot the Bruins, 16-14, and gained a 9-6 advantage in shots on goal. GFU finished with seven corner kicks, while the Bearcats took four corner kicks.

Sotelo was credited with three saves for George Fox while playing all 90 minutes. Juarez made three saves for Willamette and played 56:40. Josh Fuentes (Fr., GK, Salem, OR/South Salem HS) provided Willamette with two saves over the final 33:20.

The Bearcats will remain at home on Sunday, Oct. 20 to take on Pacific University in another Northwest Conference game. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. (PDT).