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 cross from Allen 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).
