MCMINNVILLE, Ore. --- Linfield men's soccer (1-13-3, 1-10-3 NWC) fell at home to the Puget Sound Loggers (7-7-3, 6-6-2 NWC), while freshman Derek Rowe netted his second career goal on a bicycle kick late in the second half.
 
The match opened with a flurry of action, and Puget Sound capitalized first. In the 11th minute, the Loggers scored from close to take a 1-0 lead. Linfield responded with energy, creating two corners within the first 10 minutes and a shot from Ross Vargo in the third minute.
Goalkeeper Hayden Sciera was busy throughout the opening period, recording five saves to keep the Wildcats within reach. He denied multiple shots early, including a pair of diving stops in the 17th and 22nd minutes.
 
Linfield found momentum midway through the half when Julian Lara-Martinez tested the Logger goalkeeper with a shot in the 31st minute. However, Puget Sound extended its lead to 2-0 in the 33rd minute, converting on a corner kick. Despite the deficit, Linfield finished the half strong, earning late opportunities from Tate Bliss and Don Moss to close the period.
 
Linfield came out aggressive after the break, Evan Stafford registered two quick shots in the opening minutes, forcing another save from the Loggers keeper. Defender Charlie Strong narrowly missed the top corner with a long-range attempt in the 55th minute.
 
The Wildcats continued to attack but were hit on the counter in the 75th minute, when Puget Sound extended the lead to 3-0. Linfield answered just over three minutes later when defender Derek Rowe scored his second goal of the season, converting a flying bicycle kick on a cross from Lara-Martinez to make it 3-1.
 
However, Puget Sound put the match out of reach in the 81st minute, sealing the 4-1 result.
 
Linfield matched Puget Sound in shots,16-16, and placed eight shots on goal compared to the Loggers' ten. Sciera finished with six saves, five of them in the first half. Stafford led the team with three shots on target. Bliss, Lara-Martinez, Moss, and Anderson Kelly also contributed to a balanced attack.
 
Men's soccer sets its sights on the final week of the season next weekend, taking on George Fox on the road next Sunday after hosting Lewis & Clark on Saturday at 1:45 p.m.
 
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