Kim Scores with 3:01 Left in Regulation as Bearcats Tie Loggers, 2-2 in Overtime

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

TACOMA, Wash. -- Sean Kim (So., F, Sunnyvale, CA/Homestead HS) of Willamette University scored a goal with 3:01 remaining in regulation to force overtime, and the Bearcats went on to claimed a 2-2 tie at the University of Puget Sound on Sunday, Oct. 17. Willamette moved to 8-3-1 on the season, 6-2-1 in the Northwest Conference, while the Loggers ended the game with a 5-5-3 overall record, 4-2-2 in the NWC.

The game-tying goal was a strong individual play by Kim, who took the ball into the attack, beat four or five defenders, and slotted the ball past Puget Sound goalkeeper Andrew Matheny and into the net. Kim is tied for the team lead with four goals on the season.

Kim's goal pulled Willamette even on the scoreboard after the Loggers took a 2-1 lead on a goal by Marko Babiak that was assisted by Graham Hall at 75:21. Neither team scored in the final three minutes of regulation or during either of the two 10-minute overtimes.

"Playing at Puget Sound is historically the toughest game of the year. Today's match was in the same mold," Willamette Head Men's Soccer Coach Sam Adelman said. "The difference this time was our ability to stay resilient and understand that it didn't need to be eye-catching to win. We didn't get the result we wanted, but four points out of six (a win vs. Pacific Lutheran and a tie vs. Puget Sound) is a big accomplishment. The boys should truly be proud."

Willamette ended the game with a 19-15 edge in total shots, including a 12-8 margin in shots on goal. The Bearcats outshot Puget Sound 4-1 in the two overtime periods, including 3-0 in the second overtime.

During the first overtime, Kim shot for WU at 93:41, but missed wide of the goal. Babiak took a shot for the Loggers at 94:48 that was saved by Willamette goalie Pierluca Carnovale (So., GK, Seattle, WA/Ballard HS).

Two of WU's three shots in the second overtime were on target, with a shot by Kim forcing a save from Matheny at 101:21 and a shot by Mack van der Velde (Sr., D, Voorhout, Neth./Summit HS, Bend, OR) leading to another save at 102:31. Maximus Lansing (Fy., F, Portland, OR/Westview HS) shot wide for the Bearcats at 104:49. The Loggers earned a corner kick as the game entered the final minute at 109:05, but Puget Sound was unable to create a shot.

The Bearcats scored the game's first goal about midway through the opening half at 21:59. The goal-scoring play began with a pass to the near post, where Max Berner-Hays (Sr., D, Seattle, WA/Ballard HS) flicked it on with his head, setting up van der Velde to shoot into the net. Puget Sound equalized near the midpoint of the second half at 67:23 when Ryan Smith converted a penalty kick after Willamette was called for a foul in the penalty area.

Matheny recorded 10 saves during the game for the Loggers. Carnovale earned four saves for Willamette. In addition, Bearcat defenders were credited with two team saves for stopping shots that were on target.

Puget Sound finished the game with an 8-4 lead in corner kicks. The Loggers also received five of the seven yellow cards distributed during the game.

Willamette will play George Fox University in an NWC game on Saturday, Oct. 23. Kickoff is slated for 2:30 p.m. a Sparks Field. Including the game with GFU, the Bearcats will play four of their last five regular season games at home.