PORTLAND, Ore. - The Warner Pacific men's soccer team made their 2018 season debut last night versus Willamette University, falling 2-1 to the Bearcats at Eastside Timbers Soccer Complex.

The host Knights were the more dangerous team for most of the match, launching 24 shots toward the Willamette goal. Most of the attempts were not on target however, as the Bearcat goalkeepers were forced into just four saves for the game.

Willamette was the side to break through, as they conjured an attack down the left flank in the 55th minute. Maxwell McKee took a cross from PJ Gibson and finished neatly from six yards out.

The Knights pressed forward for the equalizer, and got it in the 82nd minute from newcomer Enrique Leal. The midfielder took a square pass from Fernando Ibanez and picked out the left corner of the goal from 25 yards out.  

Not satisfied, WPU continued to send numbers forward in search of the game winner. The Bearcats responded with a late counter-attack that resulted in a penalty thanks to a handball in the box by a Knight player. Yuki Onishi slotted the chance home from the spot and sent Willamette away as winners.

"Overall I was pleased with the effort on the field," said coach Troy Ready. "We've got a few things to clean up, but really we had the opportunities to put 3 or 4 in the net. We have to be better in those moments in front of goal."

The game was designated as an exhibition for Willamette.