FOREST GROVE, Ore. - Matt Kimball scored on a penalty kick in the first half and the Boxer defense did the rest as the Pacific men's soccer team scored a 1-0 victory over Willamette in Northwest Conference action at Hanson Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The win moved Pacific to 3-5 overall and to 1-2 in conference play. The Bearcats dropped to 1-6-1 on the year and to 0-3 in the NWC.

Kimball scored his fourth goal of the season after being rewarded the free shot in the 39th minute. After a pile up near the goal, with bodies in and around the box, Kimball was sent to the free area and made good on his opportunity.

After that and before that actually, Pacific's defense was nails. Leyton Thommasen didn't have impressive save numbers but was clearing balls all afternoon.

"Leyton was huge for us, really outstanding," said head coach Eric Mild after the match. "We started four freshmen in the back so we emphasized defending together as a team and being more disaplined. I really felt like we deserved this result due to our effort, heart and our desire to play defense."

The Bearcats had seven corner kicks and nine shots, but only one was on goal - a point blank shot late in the contest that Thommasen saved.

The Boxers will get right back to action tomorrow on the road, traveling to McMinnville for a 2:30 p.m. match-up with Linfield.