TACOMA, Wash. – Anderson Kelly and Johann Singh Sanchez each found the back of the net as Linfield men's soccer (5-8-4, 4-6-3 NWC) battled back from two separate one-goal deficits to earn a 2-2 draw against Pacific Lutheran (10-2-5, 8-1-4 NWC).
The Wildcats generated an early scoring opportunity in the fifth minute when Aaron Nowak sent a shot wide of the goal. Dani Paz followed with another attempt in the 23rd minute, but neither team could break through during the opening 30-minutes.
Pacific Lutheran struck first in the 32nd minute, taking a 1-0 advantage. However, Linfield responded less than three minutes later when Kelly scored his third goal of the season off a crossed pass from Simon Patel in the 35th minute, bringing the Wildcats even at 1-1.
The Lutes continued applying pressure late in the opening half, generating four corner kicks in the final seven minutes. Linfield's defense held firm, keeping the match tied heading into halftime.
Pacific Lutheran wasted little time reclaiming the lead after the break, scoring just four seconds into the second half to take a 2-1 advantage. Linfield goalkeeper Colby Reese helped prevent the Lutes from extending their lead, making saves in the 52nd and 55th minutes to keep the Wildcats in the hunt.
Linfield eventually found its second equalizer in the 75th minute when Singh Sanchez scored his first goal of the season, tying the match at 2-2. Singh Sanchez gathered a loose ball at the top of the box following a throw in from Kelly, sending a line drive past the Lutes goalkeeper to tie the match. The Wildcats continued searching for a go-ahead goal, earning another corner kick in the 84th minute, but neither team could break the deadlock.
The Wildcats finished with four shots, including two on goal, while Pacific Lutheran recorded seven shots and four on target. Kelly and Singh Sanchez each converted their lone attempts, while Nowack and Paz contributed one shot apiece. Patel recorded the Wildcats' lone assist, the first of his collegiate career.
Reese played all 90 minutes in goal for Linfield, making two second-half saves. Pacific Lutheran held a 7-4 advantage in corner kicks, while the Wildcats generated three of their four corners after halftime.
It's the first time the 'Cats have earned a draw or better against the Lutes since the 2023 season, and the first to do so in Tacoma since 2013.
Men's soccer will look to extend their unbeaten streak to four games tomorrow morning, taking on the Puget Sound Loggers at 11 a.m. across Tacoma.
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