By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

NEWBERG, Ore. -- Willamette University took the lead four times against George Fox University on Sunday, Sept. 26 at the Austin Sports Complex. After GFU tied the score for the third time at 85:03, the Bearcats scored less than two minutes later at 86:58 and held the lead until the second half ended for a 4-3 road victory over the Bruins. Jett Starr (So., F, Portland, OR/Cleveland HS) scored the game-winning goal.


Willamette improved to 5-2 on the season, 3-1 in

the Northwest Conference. The Bruins fell to 4-4 overall, 1-3 in the NWC.


The game's seven goals were scored by seven different players. Pierce Gallaway (Jr., M, Carmel, CA/Carmel HS) of Willamette gave the Bearcats a 1-0 lead when he scored at 7:33. He received the ball following a save by GFU goalkeeper Alex Muir and scored from about nine yards out.


George Fox scored the next goal at 23:20 on a shot by Joshua Chang on an assist from Jackson Keller. Willamette regained the lead at 2-1 on a goal by Sean Kim less than five minutes later at 27:58. Kim stole the ball 35 yards from goal, moved through several defenders at the top of the penalty area, and shot from 13 yards. WU kept its 2-1 lead at halftime. The Bearcats held a 12-5 edge in total shots at the break.


About sixteen minutes into the second half, Alan Rincon scored for the Bruins to tie the score for the second time. His goal was recorded at 60:55 on an 18-yard direct free kick from the right side.


Willamette moved in front 3-2 at 75:10 on a goal by Max Brown (Jr., F, Morgan Hills, CA/Ann Sobrato HS). He was assisted on the play by Max Berner-Hays (Sr., D, Seattle, WA/Ballard HS). A lengthy throw-in was headed by Berner-Hays at the right post and sent on toward the left post, where Brown scored on a one-yard header.


Trevor Putnam tied the game at 3-3 when he scored on a header following a corner kick for the Bruins with 4:57 left. Rincon, who took the corner kick, received an assist on the play. Starr's winning goal for Willamette was earned with 3:02 on the clock. He tapped in the goal from five yards after receiving a pass from the left side of the field by Ryan Sato (Sr., M, Sunnyvale, CA/Homestead HS).


Willamette outshot George Fox 19-9 during the game, including a 9-5 advantage in shots on goal. GFU held a slim 2-1 edge in corner kicks.


Pierluca Carnovale (So., GK, Seattle, WA/Ballard HS) registered two saves for the Bearcats. Muir earned five saves for the Bruins.


The Bearcats will take on their NWC rivals from the University of Puget Sound on Saturday, Sept. 2 at Sparks Field. Game time in Salem, Oregon, is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. (PDT).