McMINNVILLE, Ore. – Three Puget Sound goals in the second half negated an early Linfield advantage and the Loggers emerged 4-1 victors over the Wildcats Sunday afternoon at the Linfield Soccer Field.
 
First Half
Linfield's Ryan Kister opened up his collegiate conference goal scoring account just one minute into the match. Kister latched onto a through ball by Chris Palmer and finished his opportunity, handing the Wildcats an early 1-0 lead 52 seconds into the contest.
 
Ten minutes later, Puget Sound's Ezra Kraus rifled a 16-yard shot aimed toward Eli Peckham's net. The Linfield netminder, with just a split-second to react, managed to get a hand on the shot to preserve his side's 1-0 lead.
 
The Loggers tallied their first goal of the match at the 28:36 mark when Luke Murdock tapped in a Kraus cross after he wiggled away from his defender to find the wide-open midfielder.
 
Second Half
With the second half just getting under way, Puget Sound found its second score of the match, thanks a Vincent Von Luehrte header that sailed over Peckham's outstretched hand to the Wildcats' far post in the 47th minute.
 
The Loggers added another second half tally four minutes later when Dane Schatz was the recipient of a Chet Selis cross, smashing in a one-time volley from six yards out.
 
Puget Sound culminated its commanding performance with 15 minutes to play. Patrick Selner wrapped a curling shot inside Peckham's left post from 23 yards out, capping the opening weekend of Northwest Conference action.
 
Top Wildcats
Malachi Stalberg and Kister were the only Wildcats to manage shots in the contest. Palmer recorded the assist on the lone Wildcat goal. Peckham gathered five saves.

Leading Loggers
Led by Schatz, who totaled a game-high five shots, Puget Sound outshot Linfield 24-2. Along with his goal, Selner recorded an assist.
 
What It Means
The Wildcats start its conference slate at 0-2, dropping their overall record 2-4. As for the Loggers, they improve to 3-2 on the year and level even in NWC play at 1-1.
 
Ahead
Linfield travels to Yamhill County rival George Fox for its third conference match of the season on Friday. The contest is the Wildcats' lone remaining night fixture this season.