Men Trade Goals, Settle for Soccer Tie

News Release Date:
Sunday, September 20

WALLA WALLA, Wash. -- After Todd Wallenius scored for Whitman College in the first half and Travis Birrell answered in the second stanza for Pacific University, the two teams played through a pair of 10-minute overtime sessions and settled for a 1-1 Northwest Conference tie Sunday afternoon at the Whitman Athletic Fields.

The stalemate left Whitman with records of 1-0-1 in the NWC and 2-2-2 overall. Pacific is 0-1-1 and 4-2-1.

Whitman just missed winning the game early in the third minute of the first overtime. Brian Percival, who had Whitman's game-winning goal against George Fox on Saturday, swept in from the right side and knocked a ball off the far post. Chris Reid was waiting for a quick rebound shot, but his ball sailed over the crossbar.

The same frustrating fate awaited Pacific at the start of the second overtime. Running from right to left in front of the Whitman goal, Birrell bounced a slow roller that was headed to paydirt until freshman defender Jed Jacobsen made a diving stop.

Wallenius, assisted by Jordan Thomas, gave Whitman its early lead with a 30-rocket with just under four minutes left in the first half. It was his third goal of the season.

Nine minutes into the second half, Pacific squared the match at 1-1 when Birrell beat the defense to a ball from Mike Iacloucci and scored from 20 yards out.

Pacific outshot Whitman 24-15, although its edge in shots on goal was a scant 3-2. The Boxers took six shots, one more than Whitman, in the the two overtime periods.

The two keepers, Pacific's Andrew Stevermer and Whitman's Nic McDonald, made one save apiece as their respective defenses helped keep quality scoring chances to a minimum. 

Percival with five shots and Wallenius with four paced the Missionary attack. Pacific got seven shots from Birrell and four each from Iacloucci and Avery Neal. 

Whitman plays at Pacific Lutheran and Puget Sound next weekend. Pacific hosts Linfield and Willamette.

Box score

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CONTACT: Dave Holden
Sports Information Director
Whitman College, Walla Walla, Wash.
509 527-5902; holden@whitman.edu