MCMINNILLE, Ore. --- Linfield men's soccer (2-13-3, 2-10-3 NWC) celebrated senior day the right way, taking a 1-0 win over the Lewis & Clark Pioneers (0-16-3, 0-13-2 NWC). 
 
The opening half was marked by back-and-forth action, with Linfield creating several early attacking opportunities but unable to find the net. Midfielder Ross Vargo provided the first shot of the match in the fifth minute, forcing a save from the Lewis & Clark goalkeeper. The Wildcats earned three first-half corner kicks but couldn't capitalize.
 
On the other end, Colby Reese kept Linfield level with five key saves before halftime. His best moment came in the 35th minute when he stopped a penalty kick from Lewis & Clark's Dylan Weinstein, diving low to his right to preserve the scoreless draw.

Linfield's physical presence grew as the half progressed. The half closed with both teams trading yellow cards and Linfield carrying momentum into the break despite the 0-0 scoreline.
 
The Wildcats outshot Lewis & Clark 10-4 in the second half, keeping play largely in the attacking half. The breakthrough came in the 85th minute when Vargo converted from the penalty spot to put Linfield ahead 1-0. It was his team-leading fifth goal of the season and proved to be the difference.

Linfield's energy surged after the goal, with substitutes Joe Hetherington and Caleb Ishizaka contributing fresh legs in midfield and attack. The Wildcats' defense locked down the final minutes, holding on to win 1-0 on senior day.
 
Linfield outshot Lewis & Clark 13-10 and held a 5-2 edge in corner kicks. Reese recorded six saves in his second shutout of the season, including five in the first half. Vargo led the Wildcats with four total shots, while Crossler, Haynes, and Julian Lara-Martinez each added one shot on goal.
 
Linfield honored 10 graduating senior on Sunday: #2 Aedan Carroll, #4 Blake Tasci, #5 Aidan Crossler, #7 Sam Haynes, #9 Reece Gaines, #11 Ronan Hodge, #13 Radule Bozovic, #16 Evan Stafford, #24 Nick Reggiani, and #30 Noah Stanley. 
 
Men's soccer finishes the season tomorrow afternoon in Newberg at 1:45 p.m., set to face the George Fox Bruins with hopes of leveling the season series.
 
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