McMINNVILLE, Ore. – Four-goal efforts during both halves handed the Wildcats a comfortable season-opening 8-2 victory against the Walla Walla Wolves, Friday afternoon at the Linfield Soccer Field.
 
Four Wildcats recorded their first career Linfield goal. The most notable out of the bunch was Ryan Kister, who led the Wildcats with a trio of goals in his collegiate debut. Chase Whittaker, Henry Rosenfeldt and Alejandro Lee-Perez also logged their names on the goal sheet for the first time in their career.
 
First Half
Kister opened the scoring just nine minutes into the match with an easy tap-in off a Malachi Stalberg cross. Nursing an early 1-0 lead, the Wolves equalized after Zac Christensen converted the game's initial penalty kick attempt, slotting it past Linfield netminder Nick Van Fleek. The Walla Walla defender gave his side the lead nearly three minutes later, when yet another penalty kick was converted by the freshman.
 
Down 2-1, the Wildcats stormed on a 3-0 run to end the first half.
 
Second Half
The Wildcats exploded for four more goals in the second period. Kister's third goal was capped off with a penalty kick at the 61st minute, recording the seventh hat trick in Linfield history.
 
Leading Wildcats
Collectively, Linfield attempted 24 shots to the Wolves' eight. Isaias Flores and Andrew Fischer added the remaining two Linfield goals. Flores led the 'Cats with five shots. Van Fleek and Eli Peckham split time in goal. Out of the 21 players who saw the field, 11 of them were Wildcats making their collegiate debut.
 
Top Wolves
Christensen and Aaron Martinez each totaled a team-high two shots.
 
'Cat Scratch
Linfield earns its first nonconference victory under second-year head coach Adam Howard. It took the Wildcats 16 games to achieve their first win under Howard during the 2016 campaign.
 
Ahead
The Wildcats travel to Kirkland, Wash., to face the Northwest University Eagles on Sept. 2. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 P.M.