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Sept. 7, 2011

Box Score

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. - Midfielder Oscar Jimenez (Sr., Mount Vernon) scored two goals and assisted on two others as Western Washington University exploded for a 5-2 win over Dominican University on Wednesday in a non-conference men's soccer contest at Forest Meadows Field.

The Vikings, who opened their season with a 2-1 loss to nationally No.8-ranked Chico State, evened their record at 1-1-0. Dominican dropped to 0-3-0.

"Our offense was so explosive today," said Western coach Travis Connell. "The guys were just relentless ... If this is a sign of the future, this bodes well for our team this year."

"When our offense is clicking, we are a very dynamic team."

Jimenez now has 19 assists during his four-year career, moving him into second among WWU leaders, just three behind school record holder Dennis Lapchis (1986-87, 1989-90).

Forward Kellan Brown (Sr., Tacoma/Bellarmine Prep) and Tyler Bjork (Sr., Kirkland/Juanita) each had a goal and an assist for the Vikings, who led 3-2 at halftime. Andrew Weishaar (So., Puyallup) had Western's other goal and Steven Hughes (So., Vancouver/Columbia River) was credited with an assist.

Western took an early 2-0 lead, but Dominican rallied for a 2-2 tie on unassisted goals by Kolby Mitnick and David Mendez.

The Vikings went ahead to stay in the 33rd minute on a rocket by Bjork, then added two more goals in the second half.

Western is at home Saturday (7 p.m.) to face Notre Dame de Namur University in a non-conference game at Orca Field on the campus of Whatcom CC.

Western Washington vs. Dominican (Calif.)
Date: 09/07/11   Attendance: 100
Goals by Period     1   2     Total
Western Washington  3   2 ---   5
Dominican           2   0 ---   2
SCORING SUMMARY:
WWU - Brown (Hughes), 14:56
WWU - Jimenez (Bjork), 20:11
DU - Mitnick (Unassisted), 29:51
DU - Mendez (Unassisted), 32:36
WWU - Bjork (Jimenez), 32:51
WWU - Weishaar (Jimenez), 50:56
WWU - Jimenez (Brown), 66:51
Shots: Western Washington 10, Dominican 6
Corner kicks: Western Washington 1, Dominican 5
Fouls: Western Washington 9, Dominican 1
Saves: Western Washington 1 (Cohen 0, Rogers 1), Dominican 2 (Gibson 2)

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. -- A terrific comeback quickly evolved into an ugly and frustrating 5-2 loss for the Dominican University of California men's soccer on Wednesday in their first home game of the season.

Trailing by two goals after 20 minutes, the Penguins (0-3) staged a remarkable rally with goals by freshman Kolby Mitnick and sophomore David Mendez, both of whom last week were named to the Pioneer Classic Men's Soccer All-Tournament Team.

First, freshman Nuri Bon-Acosta played a ball into the box that wound up on the feet of Mitnick. He dribbled between two Western Washington defenders and beat Vikings goalkeeper Leo Cohen for Dominican's first goal of the season.

The Penguins tied the game 10 minutes later when Mendez unloaded and drilled a direct kick from 25 yards out past a helpless Cohen.

Dominican had the momentum for the first time in the game. It lasted 12 seconds. That is how long it took the Vikings' Tyler Bjork to regain the lead for Western Washington (1-1).

"They caught us on our heels a little bit but the good thing is that we bounced back and tried to put ourselves back in the game," said Dominican Director of Soccer Jon Delano. "But when you score a goal like that (Mendez's), especially to tie the game, that's the time where you've got to tighten up."

The Penguins got a break early in the second half when the Vikings' Andrew Weishaar, from point blank range, struck the ball over Dominican goalkeeper Casey Gibson - and the crossbar. But, four minutes later, Weishaar didn't miss, taking a crossing pass and depositing it in the goal for a 4-2 advantage.

After that, the game turned intensely physical. The teams combined for 10 fouls, nine on Western Washington. There were 11 yellow cards issued (six on the Vikings), including three in succession when the clock was stopped with 24:59 to play. Western Washington coach Travis Connell and Oscar Jimenez, after scoring the Vikings' fifth goal, were ejected from the contest for multiple yellows along with Dominican defender Sam Vella.

Dominican Associate Head Coach Cody Worden, who himself earned a yellow card, warned the officials mere minutes into the contest that it might get out of control if they didn't seize control of it.

Delano anticipated a physical game as well.

"Hats off to Travis and Western Washington. They always have a game plan going in and they executed it well and we didn't adjust well to it today," said Delano. "It's always difficult to play teams from the Pacific Northwest. They're typically bigger, stronger, and a little bit more direct. We didn't deal with it very well."

The Vikings, who posted a record of 10-6-2 last season, were faster, quicker, and more experienced. They had only one freshman in their starting lineup on Wednesday. The Penguins had seven frosh in their starting 11, but that's no excuse.

"Collectively, all 11 have to be a little bit better," said Delano.

The Penguins are off until Sunday September 18 when they begin Pacific West Conference play against Hawaii Pacific University.