LaFrance Scores Goal Late in the First Half in 3-1 Loss to Pacific

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

FOREST GROVE, Ore. -- Krisna LaFrance (Jr., F, Seattle, WA/Ballard HS) of Willamette University scored late in the first half to pull the Bearcats within 2-1 at Pacific University on Sunday, Nov. 5. The score remained the same at halftime, but the Boxers added an insurance goal midway through the second half and went on to defeat the Bearcats, 3-1, in Northwest Conference action.

Willamette concluded its season at 8-11-1 overall and 8-7-1 (25 points) for fourth place in the NWC. Pacific improved to 5-9-6 on the season, 5-8-1 in the NWC.

The Boxers grabbed a 2-0 lead on goals in the first 38 minutes. The opening goal was scored by Caden Matsumoto at the 9:16 mark on a shot from 18 yards into the middle of the net. The second goal was recorded at 37:15 on a 28-yard shot by Sam Altman. The goal was assisted by Aidan Heflin.

LaFrance's goal cut Willamette's deficit to a single goal prior to halftime. LaFrance shot from 25 yards into the lower left corner of the goal. Simon Stein (Jr., D, Orinda, CA/Miramonte HS) registered an assist.

At the break, each team had three total shots, all on goal. Even so, Willamette held 60% of the possession.

Neither team was able to create a shot in the first 10 minutes of the second half. Willamette's Tiago Palhetas (Fy., M/F, Mississauga, ONT, Canada/Our Lady of Mount Carmel) registered a shot at 56:45 that Pacific goalie Zach Aderinto saved. Conor Barres shot wide left for Pacific at 59:12. Fernando Bitelli (Sr., F/M, Sao Paulo, Brazil/Roseburg HS, Ore.) missed a shot that went high at 65:43.

Donovan Jaramillo added the Boxers' final goal for a 3-1 lead at 67:10. He scored on a 30-yard shot toward the lower left portion of the net. Moments later, Pahletas shot for the Bearcats, but the ball missed to the right of the goal.

Lucas Carballo (Fy., F, Riverside, CA/Bloomington HS) of Willamette earned a shot at 75:30. The shot was saved by Aderinto. Pacific took a corner kick at 83:57 and the Bearcats benefited from a corner kick at 86:59, but both teams were unable to find a shot following the free kick.

Willamette kept possession for 64% of the game. The Bearcats gained a 7-5 margin in total shots and a 5-4 edge in shots on goal. Willamette's dominance in possession helped the Bearcats finish with a 5-1 advantage in corner kicks. All of the corner kicks were in the second half.