Men’s soccer has taken off this season with a 3-0 record with twelve freshman on the roster.

The Wildcat goalkeepers, junior Grant Loriaux and freshman Jorge Rodriguez, had a clean sheet during the game against Walla Walla on Sept. 7,  helping the Wildcats leave the Wolves scoreless 7-0.

Rodriguez made three saves and faced six of the Wolves’ goal attempts in the second half. Loriaux also made a save in the first.

The offense dominated with five different players scoring goals for the Wildcats. Sophomore returning letter winner Domenico Del Prete and freshman Brian DeGrandmont both scored two goals.

Del Prete made the first goal of the game and DeGrandmont followed up with both of his goals back-to-back. With assists from freshman Nicholas Autencio and junior Jake Baker, the Wildcats’ offense stayed strong with strong moves at the goal.

At the 29-minute mark, senior Michael Swain slid in a low kick in the right corner, giving the Wildcats a 4-0 lead by the break.

The Wolves’ defense tried to keep up with the ‘Cats already having nine goal attempts. In the second half, they continued to struggle to get onto the scoreboard.

Within minutes of the second half, the Wildcats seemed like they did not lose steam as Baker helped send a penalty kick right in and gaining another goal for the team.

Autencio scored for the Wildcats less than a minute later.  Del Prete scored the last goal of the game, making the gap even further for the Wolves.

The Wildcats started the weekend with a 2-1 win over Oregon Technical Institute on Sept. 6.

Four minutes into the game, junior Tyler Repic slipped in a goal past the Owl’s keeper. Freshman Eric Conte made his first career goal just three minutes after being put in, giving Linfield a 2-0 lead.

After the break, the Owls came in and went straight for the goal but the Wildcats continued to gain possession. OIT found an opportunity 71 minutes into the game and made their sole goal.

Linfield did not allow them to score for the rest of the half, securing their victory. The Wildcats had their first shutout of the season against Howard Payne University on 2-0. Baker and Autencio scored the two goals of the game.

Rodriguez helped with defensive plays while in the goal during the first half to make sure Linfield did not give up its lead. During the second half, the Wildcats tested the Yellow Jackets with 15 goal attempts and their keeper responded with five saves.

The Wildcats also had an exhibition game against Bellevue Community College on Aug. 30, where they won 2-1. Linfield will next travel to Everett, Wash., to play Trinity Lutheran College in their last preseason appearance on Sept. 13 at 4:30 p.m.

 Ivanna Tucker / Sports Editor

Ivanna Tucker can be reached at [email protected]

Photo by Helen Lee