PORTLAND, Ore. - The Warner Pacific men's soccer team suffered a 2-0 loss at Willamette University to open the 2016 season.

The Basics

• Score: Willamette 2, Warner Pacific 0
• Records: WU (1-0), WPC (0-1)
• Location: Sparks Field, Salem, Ore.
• The Short Story: Willamette scored goals just 2:28 apart in the second half, sending the host Bearcats to a 2-0 victory over Warner Pacific in the season opener for both teams. WU held the advantage in the statistics, outshooting the Knights 16-7 overall and 8-0 in shots on goal. Willamette also achieved a 7-3 edge in corner kicks.

How it Happened

• The Bearcats outshot WPC 7-1 in the first half, including 5-0 in shots on goal. Goalkeeper Erdal Barkay kept the Knights in the game with five first-half saves.
• Despite Willamette's statistical edge, Warner Pacific almost took a 1-0 lead when Coy Woods blasted a shot that hit the cross bar, then bounced down and out without crossing the goal line at 62:03.
• Maxwell McKee broke a scoreless tie by scoring at 71:21 on a follow shot after a free kick.
• WU doubled their advantage as Christopher Barness scored at 73:49, snapping in a header on a corner kick taken by Alan Hernandez.

Quotes

• "Willamette was able to dictate much of the action today," said coach Chris Thoms. "Despite that, the goals we conceded were entirely preventable and the game might have ended much different had the crossbar been kinder to us. The guys gave effort for all 90 minutes, so we learn from it and move on."