TACOMA, Wash. - - Puget Sound men's soccer dropped a heartbreaking 3-2 game to the Willamette Bearcats during their homecoming match on Sunday afternoon.
How it Happened
The Bearcats came out of the gate quickly, registering the game's first shot just three minutes in. The Loggers responded a few minutes later when Jackson Smith fired his first shot of the match, forcing a save from the Willamette goalkeeper.
The game settled into a physical rhythm over the next ten minutes, marked by a handful of fouls and defensive pressure. Puget Sound goalkeeper Mason Allison stood tall, turning away multiple shots from the Bearcats to keep the score at 0-0. As the half continued, Smith tried to spark the Logger scoring, taking two more shots that just missed wide as both teams headed into the half scoreless.
The tie broke quickly out of halftime when Willamette scored three minutes into the second half, finding an open player in the box with a cross to finish into an open net and take a 1-0 lead.
The Loggers fired right back less than ten minutes later. Following an initial shot by Lucas Krause, Krause served up a cross that connected with the head of Rhys Foote, who buried it into the top netting to level the score and create momentum for the Puget Sound sideline.
The action continued as both teams traded opportunities. After a Willamette yellow card and another attacking look from Smith, the Bearcats broke through in the 75th minute, scoring to take a 2-1 lead.
Showing their resilience, the Loggers came out hungry straight from the kickoff, unleashing three shots back to back. With just five minutes left and the offense winning corner kicks, Smith delivered the equalizer. He beat his defender, launched a strike off the crossbar and watched it bounced into the back of the net to tie the game, 2-2.
Just as the Loggers looked ready to secure the hard-earned point, the Bearcats caught Puget Sound on a fast break in the final minute of play, scoring the game winner to slip away with the 3-2 victory.
What Happens Next
The Loggers return home to Baker Stadium for their final regular season home weekend, celebrating senior day on Saturday, October 31 at 11 a.m.
