TACOMA, Wash. – Dani Paz scored his fourth goal of the season in the opening eight minutes as Linfield men's soccer (5-8-5, 4-6-4 NWC) battled Puget Sound (6-2-8, 5-2-7 NWC) to a 1-1 draw on Sunday afternoon at Baker Stadium.
The Wildcats broke through early in the match, as Jaren Nishikawa found Dani Paz in the eighth minute to beat the Loggers goalkeeper. The early strike gave Linfield a 1-0 advantage and marked Paz's fourth goal of the season.
Puget Sound responded with pressure, generating several scoring opportunities throughout the opening half. Linfield goalkeeper Jacob Toves helped preserve the Wildcats' advantage, making saves in the 15th and 17th minutes to keep the Loggers off the scoreboard.
Linfield continued looking to extend its lead, earning three corner kicks between the 30th and 33rd minutes. Derek Rowe added another scoring opportunity in the 44th minute, putting a shot on goal that was turned away by the Loggers goalkeeper.
Toves delivered another key save in the 42nd minute, allowing the Wildcats to carry their 1-0 advantage into halftime despite Puget Sound holding a 4-2 edge in shots.
The Loggers pressured immediately after the break, earning two corner kicks in the opening two minutes of the second half. Puget Sound eventually found the equalizer in the 53rd minute, bringing the match even at 1-1.
Linfield responded quickly, with Julian Lara-Martinez sending a shot wide in the 53rd minute. The Wildcats continued searching for a go-ahead goal, earning corner kicks in the 57th and 67th minutes as the match remained tied.
Caleb Ishizaka provided Linfield with another opportunity in the 81st minute, but his attempt sailed high. Neither team could break the deadlock over the final minutes, resulting in a draw, the 'Cats second of the weekend.
Linfield men's soccer extended their unbeaten streak to four games, coming off of a pair of wins last weekend. The Wildcats continue to improve in 2026, sitting tied for fifth in the NWC with the Pacific Boxers.Â
Puget Sound finished with an 11-4 advantage in shots, including a 4-2 edge in shots on goal. Linfield's four attempts came from Paz, Rowe, Lara-Martinez and Ishizaka, with Paz and Rowe accounting for the Wildcats' two shots on target. Nishikawa recorded the assist on Linfield's lone goal. Toves played all 90 minutes in goal for the Wildcats, making three saves, all in the opening half.Â
Men's soccer competes on the road next Friday at Willamette before returning home for the season finale and Senior Day on Sunday against Pacific at 11 a.m.
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