SALEM, Ore. - After taking an early 1-0 lead, the George Fox University Bruins could not hold off the Willamette University Bearcats who scored four straight goals, three in the second half, en route to a 4-2 win over the Bruins in Northwest Conference men's soccer action Sunday afternoon here at Sparks Field.

The Bruins scored first at 35:55 with Brian Story providing the goal, his second of the season. His six-yard header sent the ball into the lower left corner of the net, with twin brother Kyle Story earning an assist after crossing the ball following a short corner kick.  It was the Bruins' first goal since a 2-1 win over Pacific Lutheran University on Oct. 3, ending a string of three straight games in which they had been shut out.

Willamette was outshot by George Fox 6-2 in the first half, but the Bearcats tied the score before the break. Tom Farr sent a pass from the right to Ivan Gutierrez, who shot into an empty net from two yards out for his first score of the season at the 41:30 mark.

In the second half, Willamette achieved a 10-5 edge in total shots, and the pressure paid off at 55:35 when Luke Lagattuta provided the go-ahead goal.  Pete Kline sent a restart from near midfield to Etienne Galbreath, who was several yards inside the penalty area, and his chest pass went right to the feet of Lagattuta, who sent a powerful, low shot into the net from 17 yards out for his third goal of the year.

A similar goal gave Willamette a 3-1 lead at 67:33.  Kline sent a long ball from inside Willamette's half of the field to Galbreath, who this time trapped the ball at the top of the box, then sent a quick pass to Andrew Monbouquette on the right side, and he blasted a shot into the net for his first goal.

Willamette increased the advantage to 4-1 on Erik Kaufman's fifth goal of the season at 77:33.  The Bearcats' leading scorer sent the ball past Bruin keeper Jake Maguire on a 12-yard shot from several yards outside the right post into the lower left corner after receiving a pass from Brendan Dineen.

The Bruins completed the game's scoring at 89:25 on Stephen Gipson's first goal of the season, hitting the net from 16 yards out into the lower right corner with an assist from Kane Ransom.

Bearcat keeper Alfredo Zuniga recorded his first win in his first start, making two saves.  The Bearcats were called for offside 11 times, the Bruins none. George Fox had 16 fouls to just three for Willamette, and played the final 29:15 short one man after Keith Marshall was sent off for his second serious contact foul.

George Fox (4-10, NWC 1-8) hosts Whitworth University and Willamette (4-10, NWC 3-6) visits the University of Puget Sound Saturday, both conference matches starting at 2:30 p.m.