The Wildcats men’s soccer team was not able to get the win in either home matches last weekend.

On Saturday, Linfield (7-8, 3-6) got shut out by the University of Puget Sound Loggers (9-5,7-2) 2-0. They lost again on Sunday to the Pacific Lutheran University Lutes (11-4, 7-2) 3-2.

Linfield was just narrowly outshot nine shots to 12 against UPS, but were not able to find the net on any of them, with only three on goal. Each of the shots on goal were saved by Loggers’ keeper Daniel Kirsch.

Puget Sound’s first goal came early, only 10 minutes into the game, from Josh Sonico off the assist from Sam Zisette. The second goal came in the 62^nd minute, this time from Zisette off the assist from Sonico.

Linfield goalkeeper Jorge Rodriguez, ’17, recorded five saves through the match.

On Sunday, the ’Cats posed more of a competition for PLU. Linfield matched Pacific Lutheran for goals through the first half, with the score being one to one through the first 45 minutes of play.

The first score of the game was from the Lutes’ Joe Sammartino at the 24^th minute, but was shortly followed by a goal from Linfield’s Brian DeGrandmont, ’17, who tied the game in the 36^th minute.

That goal was DeGrandmont’s sixth of the year, three of which have come against Pacific Lutheran.

The Lutes came out firing in the second half, taking three shots in the first three minutes, with one going in from Jordan Downing off the cross shot assist from Bennett Bugbee to make the score 2-1.

The game winner came late off a penalty kick goal from Bugbee in the 78^th minute, making the score 3-1 in favor of Pacific Lutheran, giving Bugbee credit for the game winner.

The ’Cats were able to cut the deficit to one in the 83^rd minute, answering back with a penalty kick goal of their own from Alexander Gosselin-Bockel to make the score 3-2.

But it was too little too late, as no more shots were scored, and PLU was able to walk away with the victory.

Rodriguez saved five goals in this match as well, giving him 44 on the season.

“You hope to not get into that situation late, but we were there,” said head coach Chuck Bechtol. “We let in a couple of soft goals that put us in a bind, and we just tried to get one back, and it’s unfortunate but it is what it is.

The Wildcats only have five games left of the season. Next weekend they take on Pacific University (4-9-1, 2-6-1) on the road on Saturday, and then play at home on Sunday against rival George Fox University (6-8-1, 3-5-1) who they are one spot below in the standings.