SALEM, Ore. – The Whitman College men's soccer team had hoped to open its defense of last season's co-championship in better fashion, but came up short in a disappointing 4-1 loss at Willamette on Saturday in the Northwest Conference opener for both teams.
 
Willamette scored two goals in each half and took the lead early with a goal in the game's seventh minute. Yushiro Shiomi, who had a goal and two assists on the day, fed Josh Schneider who finished past Whitman keeper Owen Davis-Bower.
 
Davis-Bower and Matt Reich each played one half in goal for the Blues (3-4, 0-1 NWC). Mason Kelliher posted three saves in a full 90 minutes of action for the Bearcats.
 
After giving up the early goal, the Blues responded when Oscar Harding assisted on a goal from Adam Joss to tie up the game in the 24th minute. Willamette quickly responded when Max Berner-Hayes beat Davis-Bower to regain the lead seven minutes later.
 
Shiomi had a hand in both second-half goals, assisting on the first just over seven minutes after halftime then scoring in the 68^th minute.
 
The Blues had more opportunities on net, outshooting the Bearcats 9-6, but it was Willamette who made good on all four of its shots on target.
 
Whitman looks to notch its first NWC victory when it visits Linfield on Sunday for a 12:00 p.m. kickoff.