Barnes Scores at 58:11 as Willamette Downs Pacific, 1-0, at Sparks Field

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director

SALEM, Ore. -- Christopher Barnes (Jr., D, Los Altos, CA/ Mountain View HS) scored the game's only goal just over 13 minutes into the second half and Willamette University went on to defeat Pacific University, 1-0, at Sparks Field on Sunday, Oct. 25. The Bearcats improved to 4-10-2 overall, 3-7-1 in the Northwest Conference. Pacific fell to 5-10-1 overall, 3-7-1 in the NWC.

The win avenged a 1-0 loss at Pacific nearly a month ago on Sept. 26. In that game, Willamette outshot the Boxers, 9-4, but Matt Kimball of Pacific scored the game's only goal on a penalty kick at 38:44.

Willamette also outshot Pacific in Sunday's rematch. The Bearcats took 17 shots, including four shots on goal, while the Boxers earned three shots with two shots on goal. WU outshot the visitors 10-0 in the second half.

Barnes broke the scoreless tie with a header to the bottom right corner of the goal at 58:11. It was his second goal in as many games. He tallied WU's second goal in a 3-3 tie at George Fox University on Friday (Oct. 23).

Against Pacific, the goal by Barnes was set up with a crossing pass from Noah Walin (Jr., M, Paia, HI/Seabury Hall). Walin received an assist on the play.

The Bearcats placed three mores shot on target the rest of the game, but Pacific goalie Leyton Thommasen earned three saves to keep the lead at a single goal.

WU goalkeeper Braydon Calder (Sr., GK, Philomath, OR/Philomath HS) playing in the final home game of his career, recorded two saves for his third shutout of the season and 14th solo shutout of his career. Calder earned a save just 31 seconds into the game on a shot by Sofian Mahmoud and also saved a header by Kimball at 11:35.

Willamette almost scored in the first half on a shot by Yazan Hishmeh (Sr., F, Ventura, CA/Saint Bonaventure HS) that hit the crossbar at 17:26. Hishmeh took three shots in the first half -- and four shots overall -- to lead all players. Fabian Guerrero (Jr., F, Salem, OR/South Salem HS) added three shots for the Bearcats. 

It was Senior Day at Willamette and all 10 seniors started for the Bearcats. In addition, the seniors were honored prior to the game.

This year's seniors, include Calder and Hishmeh, plus Sam Adelman (Sr., D, Arroyo Grande, CA/Arroyo Grande HS), Matt Baur (Sr., D, Seattle, WA/Seattle Preparatory School), Sam Gonzalez (Sr., D, Junction City,OR/Junction City HS), Sebastian Mortimer (Sr., D, Moscow, ID/Moscow HS), Garrett Ross (Sr., F, Pacific Palisades, CA/Oakwood Secondary), Eric Spresser (Sr., M/D, Pleasant Hill, OR/Pleasant Hill HS), Jesse Thompson (Sr., F, Santa Ynez, CA/Santa Ynez HS) and Tyler Yates (Sr., F, Kailua-Kona, HI/Kealakehe HS).

Willamette's next game, which starts a string of three consecutive road contests to end the season, will be played at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington, on Saturday, Oct. 31. Game time in set for 12 p.m. (PDT).