WALLA WALLA, Wash. – Two goals in the first half proved enough for Whitman, as the Blues stifled Linfield 2-1 in Northwest Conference action Saturday afternoon at the Whitman Athletic Fields.
 
1st Half
The Wildcats were put in a tough position early on with Whitman's Noah Cavanaugh scored his third goal of the season just 1:15 into the contest.
 
Linfield responded just 10 minutes later, however, when Marshall Denley notched his first career goal after a shot caromed his direction and was smashed it into the back of the net to bring the proceedings level at one.
 
The game-winning goal was tallied early on in the afternoon when Joe Wally scored his first goal this season with 10 minutes before halftime.
 
2nd Half
Similar to the first period, Linfield goalkeeper Cameron Perron was busy between the posts. The freshman shot stopper faced 10 attempts in the second half, recording five saves.

The Wildcats were without a man the most of the second half after Chris Palmer received his first red card of the season five minutes into the action.
 
Leading Wildcats
In his first NWC start this season, Perron came up with a career-high 10 saves on 22 shots faced. Marksman Isaias Flores and Malachi Stalberg each totaled two shots, making up more than half of the Wildcats' seven shot attempts.
 
Booming Blues
Starting the opening 62 minutes in goal, Owen Davis-Bower recorded the lone Whitman save of the day. Erik Nielsen led the Blues with five shots while Alex Cooper picked up one assist.
 
What It Means
Linfield remain winless in NWC play, dropping their conference mark to 0-5. The 'Cats fall to 2-7 for the season. Whitman elevated into a three-way for second place tie at 3-2.
 
Ahead
The Wildcats continue their longest road trip of the year in Spokane on Sunday when the face the Whitworth Pirates. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.