SALEM, Ore. – In a battle of Northwest Conference heavyweights, the Whitman College men's soccer team came up just short, falling 1-0 at Willamette on Sunday afternoon at Sparks Field.
 
Max Berner-Hayes provided the game's only goal, scoring for the Bearcats in the 15^th minute.
 
Whitman slips into a tie for second in the conference with Pacific Lutheran and now holds a 4-2 league record and 5-5 overall. The Bearcats maintain their position at the top of the conference, undefeated at 6-0 and 9-1-1 overall.
 
As the score would indicate the two teams played a very even game with Whitman having a small edge in shots and shots on goal. Blues keeper Matt Reich posted three saves with Mason Kelliher turning back five Whitman shot attempts for the Bearcats.
 
Derivan Docktor and Sam Johnson both had three shots and two on goal. Berner-Hayes and Maxwell McKee, who had four shots and one on goal, were the most active for the Bearcats in front of the Whitman goal.
 
The Blues are next in action Saturday, Oct. 6 at Whitworth. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m.