Willamette Battles Emory in Men's Soccer, but Eagles Win, 2-0

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- The Willamette University men's soccer team played well against Emory University (Ga.) on Sunday, Sept. 10 at Sparks Field, but the visiting Eagles scored at 17:31 and added an insurance goal at 84:53 to defeat the Bearcats, 2-0. Emory advanced its record to 2-0-2, while Willamette fell to 0-4-0.

Both teams created chances to score as Emory achieved an 18-12 lead in total shots. The Eagles also owned a 6-4 edge in shots on target. Willamette dealt successfully with the Eagles on most of their counter-attacks during the game. Over the first 45 minutes, the Bearcats gained control of the ball on defense, kicked the ball out of bounds, or the Eaglers shot high or wide.

Even so, the game's first goal was scored by Emory's Colton Myers on a counter-attack. He scored on a shot from eight yards out after receiving a pass from the left side of the field. Ryan Hayes earned an assist on the play. The Eagles created fewer counter-attack opportunities in the second half.

Emory's 1-0 lead remained intact at halftime. In the second half, the Eagles continued to lead by a single goal until Myers scored his second goal of the game with 5:07 left. Myers shot from 11 yards into the lower left section of the net. He was assisted by Alejandro Gomez on a cross from the right side.

Sean Kim (Sr., F, Sunnyvale, CA/Homestead HS) of the Bearcats took three shots before he was forced to leave the game due to an injury with about five minutes left in the first half. Krisna LaFrance (Jr., F, Seattle, WA/Ballard HS) matched Kim with three shots during the game. Tiago Palhetas (Fy., M/F, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada/Our Lady of Mount Carmel) provided creativity and distributed the ball well on offense. Palhetas also took two shots.

Willamette starting goalie Pierluca Carnovale and defender Paddy Bell (Fy, D, Louisville, CO/Monarch HS) also left the game with injuries. Willamette has 10 of its players on the current injury list. WU back-up keeper Ibrahm Garza (So., GK, Portland, OR/Cleveland HS) played very well and registered four saves in 68:58. Carnovale did not make a save in 21:02 in the nets. Emory goalie Peter Wagner played all 90 minutes and was credited with four saves.

Emory finished with an 8-4 edge in corner kicks. Each team received two yellow cards.

The Bearcats will be back in action on Wednesday, Sept. 13 when they host their Northwest Conference opener against nearby rival Linfield University. Game time at Sparks Field is scheduled for 8 p.m. PDT.