Willamette Holds On to Defeat Whittier, 3-2

Willamette's starting goalkeeper, Scott Klein, made four saved in the first half and recorded the win.

Salem-News.com SPORTS

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Casey Dineen scored two goals and Greg Beasley added one goal, as Willamette University built a 3-0 first-half lead on its way to a 3-2 win over Whittier College in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Willamette improved to 1-1-1 on the season, while Whittier fell to 0-2.

Dineen opened the scoring at 15:52, after receiving a cross from the right side by Michael Rodrigues.

Beasley connected for the next goal at 30:57, as he took a rebound off the crossbar and sent it into the Whittier net.

Dineen gave WU a 3-0 margin when he headed in a corner kick by Sam Hodder.

Willamette's starting goalkeeper, Scott Klein, made four saved in the first half and recorded the win.

Mark Bennett, who started every game in 2006, played the second half against Whittier, in his first action since suffering an injury during the preseason.

The victory by the Bearcats ended a 17-match non-winning streak. WU's last win was a 1-0 triumph over Walla Walla College on Sept. 9, 2006.

The Bearcats recently ended a 13-match losing streak with a 1-1 tie in two overtimes against California State University-East Bay in the 2007 season opener.

Whittier made things interesting with a pair of second-half goals.

Rhye-Samuel Kanassatega scored on a free kick at 60:38 and Edward Baker chipped the ball over Bennett and into the net just over three minutes later at 63:43.

Whittier earned three more shots during the game, but was unable to score an equalizing goal.

The Bearcats achieved an 11-6 edge in shots during the first 45 minutes, but Whittier outshot Willamette 7-1 in the second half for a 13-12 advantage overall.

Whittier gained a 7-4 edge in shots on goal.

Willamette was credited with the games only corner kicks, as the 'Cats achieved one corner in each half.

Colorado College, which hosted the neutral-site game, will play Willamette on Saturday.

Game time in Colorado Springs is set for 2:00 p.m. (MDT). Colorado College will take on Whittier on Sunday.

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