McMINNVILLE, Ore. – Julian Lara-Martinez, Aaron Nowack and Dani Paz each found the back of the net as Linfield (4-8-3, 3-6-2 NWC) earned a dominant 3-0 victory over George Fox (3-9-3, 3-7-3 NWC) on Saturday afternoon for Fall Family Weekend.Â
Linfield opened the contest with offensive pressure, earning two corner kicks in the first seven minutes. Nowack generated the Wildcats' first shot on goal in the 13th minute, while Beckham Poirot added another attempt on target in the 20th. George Fox countered with several scoring opportunities, but Reese made four first-half saves to keep the Bruins off the scoreboard.
The Wildcats broke through in the 36th minute when Lara-Martinez scored his first goal of the season, giving Linfield a 1-0 advantage. The unassisted goal came less than five minutes after Lara-Martinez entered the match and served as the game-winner. Lara-Martinez's shot bent over the Bruins goalkeeper, crossing the end line to put the 'Cats ahead.
Linfield carried its one-goal lead into halftime despite George Fox holding a 5-5 advantage in first-half shots on goal attempts.
Linfield came out aggressively after the break, generating five shots in the opening three minutes of the second half. The Wildcats doubled their advantage in the 53rd minute when Nowack scored his first goal of the season off an assist from Derek Rowe, extending the lead to 2-0.
The Wildcats continued to control possession and create scoring opportunities throughout the second half. Poirot forced another save in the 56th minute, while Paz nearly added to the advantage in the 58th when his shot struck the left post. Nowack followed with another attempt on target in the 65th minute, but the George Fox goalkeeper kept the deficit at two.
Linfield delivered the final blow in the 69th minute when Paz scored his third goal of the season off an assist from Poirot, pushing the Wildcats ahead 3-0. The goal capped a dominant second-half performance in which Linfield outshot George Fox 14-4.
The Wildcats finished with 19 shots, including nine on goal, compared to nine shots and six on target for the Bruins. Nowack and Poirot led Linfield with five shots apiece, with Nowack placing four on target and Poirot adding three. Paz contributed three attempts, while Lara-Martinez and Johann Singh Sanchez each recorded two. Linfield also held an 8-6 advantage in corner kicks.
Reese's return saw him play all 90 minutes in goal, recording four first-half saves and two more after the break to preserve the clean sheet.
Men's soccer heads to Portland tomorrow to take on the Lewis & Clark River Otters at Noon.
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