Mariscal Scores First College Goal in High-Scoring Game, but Linfield Wins 4-3

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

McMINNVILLE, Ore. -- Evan Mariscal (Fy., F/M, Gilroy, CA/Monte Vista HS) scored his first college goal for the Bearcats, and teammates Jett Starr (Sr., F, Portland, OR/Cleveland HS) and Lucas Carballo (Fy., F, Riverside, CA/Bloomington HS) each scored on a penalty kick, but Linfield University won 4-3 in Northwest Conference game on Wednesday, Oct. 11. Willamette, playing its sixth game in 12 days, fell to 5-7-1 on the season, 5-3-1 in the NWC. Linfield improved to 2-8-3 overall, 2-5-2 in the NWC.

Sid Kosaris of Linfield provided the Wildcats with the game's first goal at 9:43. E.J. Sablan received an assist on the play. Willamette equalized at 1-1 about three minutes later, when a penalty kick was awarded and Starr scored on the spot-kick past Linfield goal Colby Reese. Starr has scored a goal in six of WU's last seven games.

The Bearcats moved in front 2-1 at the 29:48 mark on Mariscal's goal. He took too acute-angle shots on the play, and scored on the second shot following a save by Reese. Maricscal has one goal and two assists on the season, all in the last five games.

Linfield tied the score at 32:23 on the second goal of the night by Kosaris. Seamus Miller provided an assist on the goal. The Wildcats grabbed a 3-2 lead at 38:43 when Reece Gaines hit the net with a shot. He was assisted by Sablan.

The Wildcats doubled their margin to 4-2 just 24 seconds into the second half. Sablan scored the goal, while Gaines registered an assist. Sablan earned a goal and two assists during the game.

Following Sablan's goal, the Wildcats took the next four shots for a 5-0 shooting edge in the first 17:30 of the second half. Willamette closed the game strong, outshooting Linfield 12-0 in the final 27:30. Along the way, Starr hit the crossbar at 71:16, Reese saved a shot by Tiago Palhetas (Fy., M/F, Mississauga, ONT, Canada/Our Lady of Mount Carmel) at 77:41, Haydn Duncan (Fy., D, South Jordan, UT/Juan Diego Catholic HS) hit the crossbar at 80:37, and Reese earned a save on a shot by Fernando Bitelli (Sr., F/M, Sao Paulo, Brazil/Roseburg HS, Ore.) at 83:51.

The offensive pressure paid off when Linfield committed a foul in the penalty area at 85:39. Carballo converted the penalty kick to pull WU within 4-3. The Bearcats managed two more shots, but Bitelli's effort at 87:41 was blocked and a shot by Kiernan Van Engen (Fy., M/D, Dobbs Ferry, NY/Dobbs Ferry HS) was saved by Reese at 89:03.

Reese finished with four saves for the Wildcats. Goalkeeper Ibrahm Garza (So., Portland, OR/Cleveland HS) of Willamette recorded two saves. Willamette amassed a 19-15 margin in total shots and a 7-6 edge in shots on goal. The Bearcats also claimed a 9-3 advantage in corner kicks.

Willamette will host Lewis & Clark College on Sunday, Oct. 15 at Sparks Field. Game time is set for 2:30 p.m. PDT. It will be Senior Day for the Bearcats.