McMINNVILLE, Ore. – A pair of second-half goals in a four-minute span led the Whitman Blues to a Northwest Conference victory over the Linfield Wildcats 2-0 Sunday afternoon at Maxwell Field.
 
1st Half
Whitman controlled the ball a majority of the opening 30 minutes. The first real opportunity for the Blues came in the 27th minute when Ben Freedman's breakaway attempt was turned away by Linfield goalkeeper Nick Van Kleek, preserving the scoreless draw.
 
Linfield fired its first shot of the half on a 30-yard bullet by Isaias Flores that found the hands of Blues' netminder Matt Reich.
 
Four minutes later, Alex Cooper had another great chance to put Whitman on the scoresheet. Cooper found some space in the Wildcats' box with no one around him, but dragged his shot wide of Van Kleek's goal.
 
Austin Bebee could have given the 'Cats the first lead of the match with five minutes remaining after Malachi Stalberg dribbled past his Whitman defender and fed Bebee atop the 12-yard line. Turning without a Blues' player in sight, his shot attempt was tipped over the crossbar by Reich.
 
2nd Half
Linfield brought pressure in the second half, nearly netting a goal in the 53rd minute. Wildcats' forward Tony Quesnell whipped a cross to Stalberg, whose lofted header beat Reich but struck the crossbar and bounced back into play.
 
Five minutes later, Ridley Eastland-Fruit had an identical opportunity for the Blues but saw his headed attempt rebound off the crossbar to the feet of a Wildcats' defender.
 
However, Whitman would slot two pivotal goals with less than 20 minutes in the match to improve to fifth place (4-3-2) in the NWC. Noah Cavanaugh settled a loose ball outside of Linfield's box and ripped a 20-yard shot to the upper corner, leaving Van Kleek no chance to react.
 
The Blues earned their second tally in the 75th minute when Austin Betschart received an Erik Nielsen pass and lofted the ball over a sliding Van Kleek.
 
Leading Wildcats
Stalberg and Bebee combined for six of the Wildcats' 14 shots. Van Kleek finished the afternoon with five saves against 20 shots.
 
Top Blues
C.J. Fritz recorded the first Whitman assist of the game. Cavanaugh, Betschart, Sam Johnson and Gabe Jacobson all accounted for three shots. Reich ended with four saves.
 
What It Means
The Wildcats continue to search for their first NWC win of the season, falling to 0-9 in league play and 2-11 overall.
 
Next
Linfield travels to Forest Grove on Saturday to take on the Pacific Boxers at noon. Pacific edged the Wildcats 2-1 in their initial NWC matchup last month at the Linfield Soccer Field.