Though they lost, Wildcats are improving says a men’s soccer player

Liam Pickhardt, Staff writer

Despite taking a combined 26 shots, the Linfield Wildcats were unable to secure a victory on Friday at Austin Sport Complex against George Fox or Sunday at the Linfield soccer stadium against Pacific.

In the first of the two weekend games, Linfield fell 0-2 to George Fox. Linfield saw 14 chances—two more than the Bruins—at the goal, but were unsuccessful on every attempt.

George Fox goals by Alejandro Saldana and Moises Manon—within three minutes of each other —in the first period were all the Bruins needed to upend the ’Cats.

Josh Morales had a game-high four shot attempts. Henry Rosenfeld contributed valuable minutes off the bench, adding a shot attempt.

After enjoying a day away from competition, the Wildcats returned to the pitch Sunday, losing 1-2 to the Pacific Boxers. In just the eleventh minute, Ryan Kister, assisted by Chase Wittaker, drove home the Wildcats’ lone goal.

Garnering confidence from an early lead, the Wildcats were able to take more shots than the Boxers, but were unable to find the net more than once. Pacific responded with a goal late in the first period by Jake Castanha. In the second period, Weli Alamillo scored early, delivering a dagger that the Wildcats were unable to respond to.

Kister recorded a game-high 4 shots in the contest. Isaias Flores had three shots at the goal. Morales and Wittaker each added a shot attempt.

Despite losing both games, the Wildcats remain confident about their season outlook.

“We may have lost both games against George Fox and Pacific, but we are improving and looking stronger,” Efrain Martinez, ’19, said.

“When you give it all on the field, the results will come eventually. We will continue to stay together, and fight to win together. We are confident that our effort will favor us in the upcoming matches.”

The losses drop the Wildcats’ overall record to 2-6, and 0-4 in Northwest Conference play.

Pacific improves to 5-3, and 2-2 in NWC action, while George Fox moves to 4-6, 2-2.

Coming up, the Wildcats travel to Whitman Saturday for a 2:30 p.m. matchup at the Whitman Athletic Fields.