McMINNVILLE, Ore. – A late rally was not enough as the Willamette Bearcats held on to defeat the Linfield Wildcats 2-1 in the Northwest Conference match of the season Saturday afternoon at the Linfield Soccer Field.
 
1st Half
Both teams came out moving the ball up and down the field but it was the Bearcats who scored first. In the 15th minute, Mack Van Der Vekke sent a header to the top left corner of the goal after Allan Hernandez served the ball into the box from a corner kick on the left side of goal. Willamette took a total of 10 shots during the half to Linfield's four.
 
2nd Half
Using another header, Willamette got on the board with its second goal 11 minutes into the period. This time Max Bernner-Hays flicked the ball with his head just inside the back post. The assist was awarded to Nicholas Ballenger. Linfield brought the to 2-1 when Luke Marks scored on a shot just inside the six-yard box in the 71st minute. Chris Palmer sent a long ball into penalty area to tally the assist. The 'Cats continued to apply pressure on the Bearcats but were unable to equalize the score.
 
Leading Wildcats
Eli Peckham faced 15 shots making eight saves in goal. Issac Archer and Luke Marks played the full 90 minutes with Ryan Kister taking two shots. The Linfield score was Marks' first goal of the season and Palmer's second assist.
 
Top Bearcats
Hernandez had 3 shots on goal along with his assist. Quinn Nottage faced 6 shots making three saves with goal allowed for his second win of the season.
 
What It Means
This ends the 2017 for the 'Cats as they finished with a 2-15-1 overall record and 0-13-1 in conference play. It was also the last game for seniors Peckham, Archer, Palmer, Austin Bebee, Dylan Shepard and Tony Quesnell. The Bearcats' win, coupled with a Pacific Lutheran loss. placed both teams in a tie at the top of the Northwest Conference standings. Willamette clinched the NWC's automatic berth to the NCAA playoffs by virtue of a tiebreaker.