Early Goal on Penalty Kick helps Occidental Defeat Willamette, 3-0

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Elijah Remy of Occidental College (Calif.) scored on a penalty kick just 8:33 into the game, and the Tigers added two goals in the second half on their way to defeating Willamette University, 3-0, on Sunday, Sept. 3 at Jack Kemp Stadium. Occidental evened its record at 1-1, while the Bearcats fell to 0-2.

The Bearcats outshot Occidental 4-3 in the first half, including 2-1 in shots on goal, but the penalty kick by Remy kept the Tigers in front. Nicholas Ballenger (So., F, Salem, OR/West Salem HS) took both shots on goal for Willamette, while Alan Hernandez (Sr., F, Tigard, OR/Tigard HS) attempted the remaining two shots.

Occidental extended its lead to 2-0 on an unassisted goal by Tod Kawada at 50:22. Earlier in the second half, Willamette's Hijiri Iijima (So./Fr., M, Kodamacho, Japan/Honjyodaiichi) tried to tie the game, but his shot went high.

The Tigers maintained their two-goal margin until Kawada tacked on his second goal of the game at 88:24. Matthew Teplitz registered an assist on the play.

For the game, Occidental achieved a 13-6 edge in shots and a 6-2 margin in shots on goal. The Tigers outshot Willamette 10-2 in the second half. The Tigers earned seven corner kicks and Willamette took two corners. The Bearcats were called for 16 fouls, compared to eight fouls on Occidental, but the Tigers accumulated three yellow cards, while Willamette received two yellow cards.

WU goalkeeper Marco Gonzalez-Yanez (Jr., GK, Portland, OR/Central Catholic HS/U. of Portland) provided the Bearcats with three saves during the game. Occidental goalie Alex Bonomi made two saves.

The Bearcats will remain in Southern California to take on University of La Verne on Monday, Sept. 4. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. (PDT).