The Linfield Wildcats tried to keep up with the fast-paced momentum of the George Fox squad, but were unsuccessful losing the game 1-2.

All three of the goals were scored in the first 25 minutes of the game and the remainder was scoreless.

The first near successful attempt came from Rhys Lendio, ’17, he fired a rocket and it soared above the goal. The next came from Brian DeGrandmont, ’17, who attempted at the 17th minute mark and it banged against the crossbar and out.

DeGrandmont got another chance and this time converted on a penalty kick after Lendio was knocked down making the score 1-1.

DeGrandmont earned his first goal of his senior season, as well as the first goal for the Wildcats for the season. DeGrandmont also led the ’Cats with five shots and Aaron Barber-Axthelm, ’18, with four more.

The Bruins maintained possession much of the first half, but things turned around for the Wildcats as they maintained possession in the second half, but were unable to convert on an 11-3 shot advantage.

Goalkeepers Jorge Rodriguez-Toro, ’17, and Eli Peckham, ’18, had four saves combined.

On the day, “I thought we played well today, we were just unlucky to find the back of the net for a second time. We had a majority of possession and our defense played well like usual,” Lendio said.

“The number one thing we need to work on is finishing. It’s tough on our defense when we only have three goals thus far this season. And I thought we were a bit confused defensively in the first half, their formation was giving us fits. We adjusted well in the second half,” Lendio concluded.

DeGrandmont echoed what Lendio said. He added, “I think we were surpassed in the first 20 minutes on how fast they moved the ball. Our defense settled in, showed them a little bit more respect by backing off and kept them in front of us, forcing them to make errors.”

When asked what the team is doing really well currently, “we are always fighting and moving the ball around. Our distribution of the ball has been good. We are a selfless team,” Degrandmont said.

“We need to score the first goal of the game, that way our heads are held high and we know we are in the position to win the game,” he said.

The ‘Cats were hopeful on Sunday to bounce back and grab their first win against the Pacific University Boxers, but the Boxers prevailed and won 2-0.

Linfield was only outshot by Pacific by one, Pacific had 11 and Linfield had 10. On the day, Linfield had no corner kicks.

The first goal came in the 35th minute by Pacific after a throw-in. The second goal came in the second half in the 51st minute.

The ’Cats are 0-8-1 overall and 0-4 in Northwest Conference play. Next up, the Wildcats host Pacific Lutheran on Saturday and University of Puget Sound on Sunday, both are scheduled for 2:30pm.