BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Western Washington University men's soccer team scored late in the first half before adding four second-half goals, including two by senior forward
Drew Barker, to conclude the preseason schedule with a 5-0 victory over the University of Puget Sound on Saturday night at Harrington Field.
The game was an exhibition match, with the final result and all game statistics not counting toward the 2018 season standings. WWU finished the preseason exhibition schedule with a 1-1 record following a 3-2 defeat at British Columbia last week before Saturday's victory over Puget Sound.
Senior defender
Stephen Jinneman (Redmond, WA) gave WWU a 1-0 lead in the 43rd minute, finishing a low cross from junior forward
Christian Rotter (Auburn, WA/Auburn Mountainview) as the Vikings took a one-goal advantage into halftime.
Barker (Tacoma, WA/Bellarmine Prep) scored twice with goals 21 seconds apart early in the second half, assisted both times by junior forward
Taylor Allen (Russellville, AR). Barker scored in the 51st and 52nd minutes, making a move on a defender to score with a low shot for his first goal at the 50:47 mark before taking a pass from Allen in the left side of the 18-yard box and finishing to the near post at the 51:08 mark.
Freshman midfielder
Teagan Eldridge (Enumclaw, WA) made the score 4-0 in the 69th minute with a header goal from a cross by senior defender
Louis Genty (Toulouse, France/INP Ensiacet). Eldridge then had a through-ball assist to freshman forward
Jacob Ramos (Roseville, CA/Woodcreek) for the fifth WWU goal in the 76th minute.
WWU held an 18-6 advantage in shots (11-2 in shots on goal) and held the Loggers without a shot in the second half.
Freshman goalkeepers
Brandon Wolter (Vancouver, WA/Union) and
Thomas Ewert (Vancouver, WA/Skyview) each played a half in the shutout with Wolter making 2 saves in the first half.
The regular season begins next week with a trip to California as WWU opens the schedule with Sonoma State and Chico State. The Vikings face Sonoma State on Thursday (Aug. 30, 5 pm) before opposing Chico State next Saturday (Sept. 1, 7 pm).
WWU's home opener is Sept. 11 vs. Hawai'i-Hilo at Harrington Field (7 pm).
Fans can follow WWU men's soccer online at
WWUVikings.com/MSoc, and via social media on
Twitter (@SoccerWWU),
Instagram (@wwu_msoccer) and
Facebook (@WWUsoccermens).
About WWU Soccer: The Western Washington University men's soccer program enters its 39
th season at the varsity level in 2018 with head coach
Greg Brisbon in his sixth season leading the program. The program has recorded an overall record at or above the .500 mark in five of the last six seasons, combining to go 49-41-18 (.537) over this stretch. In 2016 the Vikings advanced to the NCAA Division II Championships for the first time in program history, using a late-season surge that saw the Vikings 5-0-1 over the last six matches to advance to the postseason. WWU beat 19
th-ranked Dixie State in the first round of the NCAA Championships 3-2 in overtime on a golden goal header. Overall the program has produced 39 GNAC Player of the Week, 25 First Team All-GNAC selections and 3 GNAC Players of the Year since joining the conference in 2001.
