Puget Sound Defeats Bearcats in Men's Soccer, 2-0

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director

SALEM, Ore. -- University of Puget Sound scored less than 15 minutes into the game, and then added an insurance goal midway through the second half, as the Loggers downed Willamette University, 2-0, in a Northwest Conference game on Saturday, Oct. 1 at Sparks Field. The Bearcats outshot the Loggers 8-4 in the first half and 11-10 during the game, but Jacob Palmer made four saves to keep Willamette off the scoreboard.

Puget Sound advanced its record to 5-2-2 overall, 2-1-2 (8 points) in the NWC. Willamette fell to 5-3-0, 3-2-0 (9 points) in the NWC.

Josh Sonico recorded the first goal for the Loggers at 14:41. He scored on a 7-yard header into the upper right corner, following a corner kick by Benjamin Whitham.

Willamette placed three of its eight shots on target in the first half, but was unable to tie the score. All three shots on goal were taken by Austin Arnold (Jr./So., M, Portland, OR/Grant HS) between the 21st minute and the 22nd minute, with Palmer earning three saves in a 1:14 span.

In the second half, WU goalkeeper Josh Fuentes (Sr., GK, Salem, OR/South Salem HS) registered two saves in the 65th minute on shots by Zack Lokay and Ezra Kraus to keep the score at 1-0. Fuentes finished the game with four saves.

Luke Murdock provided Puget Sound with its second goal at 68:52 on a shot from four yards that deflected off the hands of Fuentes and bounced into the net. Chet Selis received an assist on the play.

For the game, Puget Sound achieved a 6-4 margin in shots on goal. Murdock, Whitham, Sonico and Kraus each took two shots for the Loggers. Whitham placed both of his shots on goal. Arnold led Willamette with three shots -- all on target. Each team earned three corner kicks.

Willamette will play at home again on Sunday, Oct. 2, when the Bearcats take on Pacific Lutheran University. Game time is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. (PDT).