SALEM, Ore. - The Bruin men's soccer team fell behind early against the Willamette Bearcats, dropping their midweek matchup, 2-0.
How it Happened
Right from the whistle, the Bearcats drove down the field with two shots before the fourth minute. The second shot was easily saved by the Bruins' goalie,
Patrick O'Brien. 10 minutes later, Willamette player Dillon Smith scored the first goal of the game after sneaking a shot past O'Brien. Bruins
Zac LeVin and
Carson Tapia came back fighting. LeVin placed a shot, but it went out and left; Tapia's shot was deflected off another player and intercepted by Willamette goalkeeper Mikkel Jensen.
The first half heated up with the Bearcats getting a total of eight shots off before the 35th minute. O'Brien managed to save five of those eight shots, keeping Willamette's offense from scoring. It was then that Willamette striker Daniel Greenheck found a way around Fox's defense and grabbed Willamette a second goal, setting the game at 2-0. The Bearcats attempted two more shots before the half's end, but the Bruin defense held strong and pressured the shooters into missing wide both times.
Bruin defense rallied in the second half with
Luke Lidington stepping squarely in the way of ball, deflecting a dangerous shot on the left of the goal. Just as the second half seemed to grow dull, George Fox received a free kick in the 60th minute, and Levin took a one-tap shot dead center on goal, with the quick reflexes of the Bearcat goalie saving the shot.
Tapia recorded another shot in the middle of the second half after the Bruins fought hard to win a possession and drove down the field. The shot was blocked out by Willamette defenders just meters from being on goal.
Top Performances
O'Brien recorded eight saves in the full 90 minutes he played. Tapia found three shots and Levin two, with each having a shot on goal.
What this means
GFU's record sits at 3-7-2 (NWC 3-5-2) after tonight. Willamette 4-5-2 (NWC 4-3-2).
What Happens Next
The team will play Pacific Lutheran in Newberg this Friday, October 16th at 5 pm.
