Grant Lucas – Sports editor. The Linfield men’s soccer team found itself in two nail-biting contests at home Sept. 19 and 20.
The Wildcats began the weekend on a positive note, edging out the University of Puget Sound 1-0.
With this victory, Linfield improved its record to 2-3 overall and 1-0 in Northwest Conference play. The Loggers dropped to 3-4 overall and 0-1 in conference.
The first half may have remained scoreless, but opportunities still existed. UPS fired eight shots before intermission. Wildcat junior goalkeeper Jon Thompson, however, denied the Loggers four goals.
The ’Cats flipped the script in the second half after being outshot 8-4 in the first. Linfield unleashed six shots — one became most significant of the game.
Following three consecutive UPS corner kicks, Wildcat junior Michel Camacho found senior Travis Isaacs, who, in turn, found the back of the net for a 64th-minute goal.
“Ever since [the University of California, Santa Cruz] game, I think we have been playing at a higher level,” Thompson said. “I think by winning this first game, it sends a message to the conference that we are no joke. Our record may not say it, but our play on the field will.”
Linfield and Pacific Lutheran University put on a thrilling show when they met Sept. 20.
The Wildcats lit up the scoreboard first when senior Nick Jauregui scored in the 39th minute.
The lead was brief, however, as Lute senior Jason Bjorgo scored four minutes later, bringing the match to a deadlock as the game entered halftime.
The second half had its share of opportunities for both squads, but nobody was able to break the tie.
Linfield junior Colin Bebee had the best chance for a game-winner in the 67th minute. After penetrating deep into PLU territory, Bebee drilled a shot on goal. However, PLU junior goalie Brian Kostol deflected the ball, sending it just wide of the net.
After a scoreless first overtime by each team, PLU acted quickly to take the lead. In the 102nd minute, two minutes into the second overtime, PLU sophomore Spencer Augustin was in the right place at the right time.
The ball was knocked around Linfield’s box for a moment, but Augustin then found it at his feet. He booted it in for the game-winner, his team-leading fourth goal.
“I think it was just a short mental lapse that caused us to lose the game,” Jauregui said. “It wasn’t that we didn’t play well or not try hard enough, it was just a miscommunication that led to an unfortunate goal. It is one of those games that teaches us what not to do again and gives us that feeling to never lose again.”
With the loss, Linfield dropped to a 2-4-1 overall record, holding a 1-1 record in NWC play. PLU improved to 5-2 overall and 2-0 in conference action.
The Wildcats remain at home where they host Pacific University on Sept. 26.
Pacific holds a 0-1-1 record in the NWC and a 4-2-1 overall record. Both of its NWC matches were just as thrilling as Linfield’s, losing to Whitworth University 2-1 and tying Whitman College 1-1.
“It is going to be a dogfight this year in conference,” Thompson said. “I think our team realizes it, and I believe we can take the challenge.”