The Linfield men’s soccer team defeated Willamette University in a close battle, scoring a goal late in the second half to win 1-0.
This pushes the Wildcats record up to 6-4-1.
This win also helped their divisional record, making them 3-3-1 against in conference opponents.
Freshman keeper Jorge Rodriguez was out with a shoulder injury, and was replaced by junior Grant Loriaux in the game on Oct. 12.
He played an excellent game filling in for Rodriguez, making a total of five saves and not allowing a single goal.
This was Loriaux’s second start of the season.
Rodriguez commented on Loriaux’s play after the game.
“He played really well and responded well to every type of attack Willamette had, whether it was long throw-ins, crosses, or shots,” Rodrigues said. “His decision making was really good and he handled shots well, holding onto the ball and not giving them second chances,” Rodrigues said.
Loriaux and Rodriguez are very competitive for the starting job, but still manage to keep the competition in good spirit and not let it become a war of two enemies.
The only goal score came late in the game off the foot of sophomore Ivan Colin.
Colin came up clutch by putting the Wildcats ahead with just two minutes to spare in the game. This was Colin’s second goal of the year.
The assist was given to sophomore Domenico Del Prete, as he passed the ball over to his teammate about five yards shy of the goal, where Colin powered it into the upper left corner of the net.
Linfield and Willamette were even in all aspects the entire game. Linfield took 13 shots, four on goal, compared to Willamette’s 12, five on goal.
The Wildcats keeper made five saves compared to the Bearcats three. It was merely a difference of Linfield’s final shot of the game that decided the victor.
Linfield plays its next game against Pacific University, where they will try to extend their winning streak to four. That game will be played here at 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 19 at home.
By Drew Mahrt / Senior Sports Reporter
