Bearcats and Wildcats Battle to 0-0 Tie in 2 OT as Rivals Meet in Men's Soccer

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

McMINNVILLE, Ore. -- Willamette University and Linfield College played to a 0-0 tie in two overtimes during a Northwest Conference men's soccer game on Saturday, Nov. 9. The Wildcats earned a 15-14 advantage in total shots, while the Bearcats held an 8-4 lead in shots on goal, but neither team scored.

Anthony Richard-Bassett (Jr., Salem, OR/South Salem HS), who played in goal for Willamette, registered four saves. Linfield goalie Nick Ven Kleek made 8 saves.

Van Kleek earned the key save of the game when he stopped a penalty kick taken by Nicholas Ballenger (Sr., F, Salem, OR/West Salem HS/Oregon State Univ.) of Willamette with 44 seconds left in regulation.

The Bearcats concluded their season with an 11-4-4 overall record, including 8-4-2 in the Northwest Conference (26 points, 3rd place). It is Willamette's second consecutive 11-4-4 season and the team's third 10-win season in a row. The Wildcats ended the year at 5-12-2 overall, 3-9-2 in the NWC (11 points, 6th place).

"We played a great final match of the season. I am especially proud of my seniors and their commitment to excellence during their entire time here at Willamette."
— Willamette Head Coach Jared Rust

Ballenger and Max Berner-Hays (Jr., D, Seattle, WA/Ballard HS) each took three total shots for Willamette. Carter McCleary (Jr., F, Port Hadlock, WA/Chimacum HS) and Yushiro Shiomi (So., D, Kyoto, Japan/TIUA) from WU both earned two shots and placed both shots on target. Malachi Stalberg was credited with three shots for Linfield.

Prior to the penalty kick, Willamette had two other shots int he final four minutes of the second half. Ryan Sato (So., MF, Sunnyvale, CA/Homestead HS) missed high at 86:20. A shot by Berner-Hays at 87:45 was blocked.

Each team took three shots during the two 10-minute overtime periods. All three of Willamette's shot were on frame, while all three of Linfield's shots were not on target.

Shiomi launched a shot that was saved by Van Kleek at 92:06 in the first overtime. Just over two minutes later, McCleary had a shot that also led to a save by Van Kleek. Linfield had a chance on a header at 95:36 following a corner kick, but Dayton Farrow's shot was wide. Stalberg missed wide at 99:04.

In the second overtime, Berner-Hays sent a header toward the goal at 105:19 after a corner kick. The shot was saved by Van Kleek. Farrow took a shot for Linfield at 108:42, but the attempt was wide.

Willamette's defense ended the year with a total of nine shutouts. The Bearcats recorded a 0.80 team goals against average and outscored their opponents 35-16.