SPOKANE, Wash. --- Linfield men's soccer (1-11-3, 1-7-3 NWC) dropped their first match of the weekend road trip at Whitworth (6-4-3, 6-3-3 NWC), 1-0.
The Wildcats absorbed early pressure from Whitworth's attack, as the Pirates recorded a series of corner kicks and shots in the opening 15 minutes. Goalkeeper
Colby Reese was steady in goal, making an important stop in the 27th minute and helping clear multiple dangerous deliveries into the box. Linfield defenders
Anderson Kelly,
Aedan Carroll, and
Derek Rowe stayed organized under pressure, blocking several attempts before halftime.
Whitworth eventually broke through in the 38th minute scoring on a long cross, finding the lower left corner to put the Pirates up 1-0.
Linfield responded well after halftime, showing greater attacking rhythm and composure. Forward
Evan Stafford created the Wildcats' best scoring opportunity in the 49th minute with a low strike from the center of the box that forced Whitworth keeper to make a diving save.
The Wildcats continued pressing through midfielders
Tate Bliss and
Jaren Nishikawa, while substitutes
Caleb Ishizaka and
Davidson Kathman added fresh legs up front. Kathman and Stafford both earned yellow cards in the second half as Linfield's aggressive play pushed the Pirates onto their heels. Reese stood tall once again with two more saves, including one in the 48th minute and another late to keep Linfield within striking distance.
Despite the late push, including sustained possession in the attacking third during the final ten minutes, Linfield could not find the equalizer before the final whistle.
Whitworth outshot Linfield 20-5 overall, though just five of those efforts landed on target. Reese made two saves in his 90 minutes in goal, while the Linfield defense limited the Pirates to a single goal despite 11 fouls and no corner opportunities for the Wildcats. Stafford led Linfield with three total shots and one on goal.
Linfield is back in action tomorrow evening in Walla Walla, facing the Whitman Blues at 2:45 p.m.
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