SALEM, ORE. -- The University of California-Santa Cruz scored two first half goals, then pulled away with a goal in the 57th minute and three goals in the final 18 minutes, as the Banana Slugs defeated Willamette University, 6-0, on Sunday, Sept. 2 at Sparks Field. UCSC, ranked #10 in the NSCAA/adidas Preseason Poll for NCAA Division III, improved to 1-1 on the season, while Willamette dropped to 0-1-1.

Anthony Scarlett led UC-Santa Cruz with one goal and two assists. Adam Smarte, who scored the first goal on an 8-yard shot at 13:49, earned an assist on the Banana Slugs' final goal. Harry Abraham tallied the second goal on a 7-yard header at the 30:55 mark, giving UCSC a two-goal lead at the half.

Stefan Clemens increased the lead to 3-0 with a shot from 15-yards at 56:32 and Harry Abraham provided the fourth goal, and his second on the day at 72:31. Scarlett scored next at 80:07, as he beat WU goalie Scott Klein on a counter-attack and shot into an empty net. Colin Ainsworth completed the scoring with a goal at 82:08.

UC-Santa Cruz achieved a 24-7 edge in shots, including a 15-5 advantage in shots on goal. The Banana Slugs also earned a 5-1 margin in corner kicks.
Klein registered nine saves for the Bearcats. UCSC goalkeeper Jared Wheeler recorded four saves to claim the shutout.

UC-Santa Cruz finishes up thier Oregon road trip as the face Pacific Lutheran University in McMinnville, OR. on Tuesday at Noon.