Bearcats Battle Warriors to 2-2 Draw in Men's Soccer Exhibition

By Blair Cash for WU Sports Info

SALEM, Ore. – Playing a real game for the first time in 15 months due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Willamette University Bearcats and the visiting Corban University Warriors battled to a 2-2 draw in a men's soccer exhibition match on Saturday evening, Feb. 20, here at Sparks Field.

Both teams scored one goal in each half, with all of the goals coming early in the periods.  Corban struck first as Matheus Giron picked up a loose ball in front of the Willamette goal and stuck it into the net four-and-a-half minutes into the contest. The host Bearcats responded with the equalizer 11 minutes later, Pierce Gallaway (So., M, Carmel, CA/Carmel HS) scoring inside the right post after a short pass from Sean Kim (Fy., MID, Sunnyvale, CA/Homestead HS). 

The Warriors regained the lead 12 minutes into the second half when Giron sent a long cross from the right sideline to Chadwayne Johnson in the upper left corner of the box.  Johnson sent a hooking liner just under the crossbar's midpoint for a 2-1 Corban lead. The Bearcats struck back quickly, knotting the score 47 seconds later with an Edwin Ortiz goal from five yards out inside the left post after Ardem Baronian's provided an assist on the play.

Regulation time ended at 2-2, but after a brief meeting of the coaches at midfield and in consulation with the officials, the teams decided to forego an overtime for the non-counting game.

Corban held an advantage in shots (13-11), shots on goal (6—3), and corner kicks (5-2). The Warriors' Nate Sherwood led all offensive players with four shots attempts, while Sebastian Ruelas (Jr., F/M, Slaem, OR/South Salem, HS) took three shots to pace the Bearcats. Pierluca Carnovale (Fy., GK, Seattle, WA/Ballard HS) in the first half and Anthony Richard-Bassett (Sr., GK, Salem, OR/South Salem HS) in the second each had two saves in the net for the 'Cats, while Marcos Ochoa, playing the last 29 minutes of the game in relief of starting keeper Justin Keegan, had the Warriors' lone save.

Willamette opens its regular season on Sunday, Feb. 28, hosting Pacific University in a Northwest Conference match at 3:00 p.m.