MCMINNVILLE, Ore. --- Linfield men's soccer (0-7-0, 0-3-0 NWC) returned to action after a week hiatus in the schedule, coming up short in the first Northwest Conference match at home to Whitman (5-0-3, 4-0-0 NWC), 1-0.
Tate Bliss,
Sam Haynes, and the Wildcat offense went right to work, taking a pair of shots in the first seven minutes, but both missed the target wide. Whitman countered with a pair of strong efforts, forcing a pair of diving saves by Wildcat goalkeeper
Jacob Toves. Whitman broke the tie in the 30
th minute, scoring on a rebound from a save by Toves. Whitman led 1-0 after 45-minutes.
Linfield's lone shot in the second half came from
Davidson Kathman in the 47
th-minute, just missing the left post. The defense had one of its best efforts in the early season, minimizing the Blues chances.
Goalkeeper
Jacob Toves anchored the back line with four saves, including three in the opening half that prevented Whitman from extending its lead. Defenders
Aedan Carroll,
Blake Tasci, and
Charlie Strong battled through ninety minutes, while midfielder
Tate Bliss and forward
Evan Stafford worked to transition Linfield into the attack.
Forward
Sam Haynes provided Linfield's best look in the first half, driving forward to test the Whitman back line. Haynes joined Bliss, Kathman, and Vargo, as the four 'Cats to take a shot in the game.
Men's soccer closes out the weekend home series against the Whit's tomorrow afternoon at 2:45 p.m. against the Whitworth Pirates.
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