Another hard fought game this weekend for the Linfield Wildcats was played

against the Whitworth Pirates. Linfield came up short with an ending score of 5-0.

Both teams seemed to be having a bit of a hard time keeping track of the ball

due to the weather conditions.

The game went downhill for Linfield about thirty minutes into the first half

when the Pirates scored two goals back to back. Whitworth was not only playing

off of long passes, but they held possession of the ball well. Many shots were being

taken, keeping Jack O’Keefe, the Linfield goalkeeper, busy.

As the first half of the game continued, players were getting frustrated with

one another and moods were tense. The referee set players from Linfield and the

opposing team straight by giving out yellow cards.

The Cats best chance for a goal was when player Moi Diaz saw an

opportunity and took it. The Whitworth goalkeeper reacted right when he needed to

unfortunately. Shortly after, Linfield player Aaron Barber-Axthelm received a red

card leaving the team down one player.

Linfield was unable to get a foot on the ball while both teams were in the Cats

box. All the commotion gave the Pirates the chance to score again near the end of

the half.

Being one man short and down by three, the Linfield Cats knew they had

their work cut out for them going into the second half.

The second half got started quickly as both teams were looking to score.

Even though Linfield was working hard to defend their positions, Whitworth

players were being given yards and yards to work with and they took advantage of

it. This left the Cats in the same place as they were in the first half and they were still

having trouble keeping possession of the ball.

A quarter of the way through the second half, the Pirates had a dangerous

run, almost scoring again. But, Linfield player Emerson Morris-North used his

defense skills to make sure that run didn’t turn into anything Whitworth could work

As the game went on, the Pirates continued with the majority of the

possession of the ball with Linfield close behind working for their chance. By

playing off the sides of the field and passing quickly, Whitworth scored again

making it 4-0. Not too much later, they scored for a fifth time making score 5-0.

Linfield began to step up their defense making it harder for the other team to

get another drive. The Cats came close to scoring when they had a good attack set

up near the box, but unfortunately could not convert that drive into a goal.

The end of the second half didn’t change much as Linfield fought hard score

but couldn’t. The game ended with a score of 5-0 in favor of the pirates.

The next game for Linfield will be on Nov. 8 against Willamette.