SALEM, Ore. – Julian Lara-Martinez's second half game-winner helped Linfield men's soccer (6-8-5, 5-6-4 NWC) extend their unbeaten streak to five matches in a 1-0 win over Willamette (8-6-3, 8-4-3 NWC).
The Wildcats controlled much of the match, outshooting the Bearcats 16-6 while securing their sixth victory of the season; the most regular-season wins in the Andrew Duvall era.
Linfield put the pressure on the third-place Bearcats early, with Davidson Kathman putting a shot on goal in the third minute. Jose Yanez followed with an attempt in the 10th minute before forcing another save in the 17th. Kathman continued applying pressure in the 23rd minute, recording his second shot on target, but the Wildcats were unable to break through.
The 'Cats continued generating opportunities throughout the opening half, with Beckham Poirot recording a shot in the 26th minute and Aaron Nowack adding another attempt in the 40th. Despite holding a 6-3 advantage in shots, Linfield entered halftime locked in a scoreless draw, with shots coming from multiple contributors.
Linfield didn't let off the gas coming out of the halftime break, beginning with a shot from Reese Christensen in the 52nd minute. The Wildcats earned consecutive corner kicks in the 57th minute before Lara-Martinez and Poirot added scoring opportunities in the 60th minute.
The Wildcats finally broke through in the 65th minute when Lara-Martinez found the back of the net off a perfect pass from midfield from Johann Singh Sanchez. The goal marked Lara-Martinez's second of the season and gave Linfield a 1-0 advantage with just over 25 minutes remaining.
Linfield continued searching for an insurance goal, with Kathman putting another shot on target in the 67th minute. Anderson Kelly followed with an attempt in the 75th minute before Poirot added another opportunity in the 77th. The Wildcats maintained their offensive pressure late, generating four corner kicks between the 78th and 82nd minutes.
Willamette looked to respond in the closing minutes, but Linfield's defensive unit held firm to preserve the one-goal advantage. Goalkeeper Colby Reese recorded two second-half saves, including a key stop in the 78th minute, before Jacob Toves entered to help secure the shutout over the final 12 minutes.
Linfield finished with 16 shots, including five on goal, while Willamette recorded six attempts and three shots on target. Kathman and Poirot led the Wildcats with four shots apiece, with Kathman placing three on goal. Lara-Martinez and Yanez each contributed two attempts, while Kelly, Singh Sanchez, Christensen and Nowack recorded one apiece.
Reese played 77 minutes in goal, making three saves, while Toves completed the final 12 minutes and nine seconds to secure the combined shutout. The Wildcats held a commanding 10-4 advantage in corner kicks, including nine in the second half.
The win moves Linfield into sole possession of fifth place in the Northwest Conference table, which would be the 'Cats best finish in the conference since 2006. Head Coach Andrew Duvall surpassed his previous-best win total with six overall on the season. Having not been beaten in five matches, it's Linfield's best streak since the 2013 season.
Men's soccer looks to keep rolling into the final match of the season this Sunday against the Pacific Boxers at 11 a.m., set to honor the senior class prior to the match.
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