After losses to Pugent Sound and Pacific Lutheran in their last two games, the

Linfield Men’s Soccer team strived for a win, but couldn’t make it and fell one point

short. The game against the Whitman Missionaries was a close 2-1.

For the last home game of the season the Cats played well despite the wet,

slippery field.

In the first half of the game both teams fought hard to score. There were

many worthy set-ups for the Linfield Cats as Brian DeGrandmont, Alexander

Autencio and Moi Diaz passed well, but nothing that they could convert into a goal.

The Linfield players took their time to work their way down the sideline. By

doing so, they were able to take a few shots. Even though none of these shots

resulted in a goal, the Cats were giving themselves good opportunities to score early

in the game.

These few goals came close, with one at the top of the box, one deflected off

the side of the post, another blocked by the Whitman goalkeeper, and the other

chance ruined due to the slippery mud along the field.

Within the first fifteen minutes Whitman scored. Just ten seconds following

their goal, Linfield player, Autencio, scored. Leaving the score 1-1.

Unfortunately twenty minutes into the game a red card was given to one of

Linfield’s forwards, Ivan Colin, leaving the team down one player.

Later in the half, a yellow card was handed out to Chris Palmer giving

Whitman a free kick that they missed with eight minutes left in the half.

All throughout this half the Linfield men set up many attacks and

opportunities with an upbeat pace. Linfield had a total of eleven shots taken and

Whitman a total of six. The score stood at 1-1 for the first half.

The second half got started quickly with two back-to-back shots taken by

Linfield. During the beginning of the second half the Cats and Missionaries went

back and forth trying to score. Due to less consistent passing from the Cats

compared to the first half, Whitman got the chance to score. Making the score 2 to 1

in favor of Whitman.

Linfield had the chance to score when a penalty was called on the

Missionaries. The ball came close to entering the net but was blocked at the last

second.

The rest of the game, the Cats knew when to get rid of the ball, when to pass,

and when to intercept, but it seems as if they were just one kick away from making

that final goal that would tie them up with the other team, resulting in a final score

of 2 to 1.

The next game for these Linfield players will be Nov. 2 at McMinnville

High School at 1:30 p.m. as they take on Whitworth.