Willamette Ends Season on High Note, Defeats Linfield 3-0

By John Lind, Assistant Athletics Communications DirectorBy John Lind, Student Assistant, Athletics Communications

MCMINNVILLE, ORE. - Willamette University used a fast start and solid defense throughout to conclude their season with a definitive 3-0 victory over Linfield College in a Northwest Conference men's soccer matchup on Saturday, Nov. 5. Willamette finished with a record of 6-9-2 (5-8-1 NWC). With the loss, Linfield fell to 2-14-1 (1-12-1 NWC).

The Bearcats scored three times in the first 21 minutes of the game. Their first goal came just one minute into the game fromBrendan Dineen (Sr., D, Portland, OR/Grant HS), who found the bottom left corner of the goal off a throw in fromKevin Martin (So., D, Cardiff, CA/Francis W. Parker School).

Willamette's next goal came just seven minutes later.Adan Vazquez (So., F, Woodburn, OR/Woodburn HS) beat the Wildcat defense and finished into the upper left corner for an unassisted goal. It was Vazquez's sixth goal of the season.

Willamette padded its lead even further with a goal just past the 21-minute mark fromMike McGrew (Jr., MF, Portland, OR/Grant HS). McGrew's goal was unassisted, as he slipped the ball past Linfield goalkeeper Scott Goodman's hands.

The Bearcats held the Wildcats scoreless for the next 69 minutes to seal the win. Willamette had 12 shots to Linfield's 14, but the Bearcats recorded six shots on goal to the Wildcats' five.Alfredo Zuniga (Sr., GK, Salem, OR/South Salem HS) played most of the game for the Bearcats and recorded five saves in goal.

With his goal on Saturday, Vazquez tied teammate Erik Kaufman (Jr., F, Portland, OR/Grant HS) for Willamette's overall scoring lead with 16 total points this season. Vazquez earned 6 goals and 4 assists, while Kaufman achieved 7 goals and 2 assists. McGrew finished third on the scoring chart with 6 goals and 3 assists for 15 points.

Seniors Dineen, Zuniga andJames Neal (Sr., GK, Seattle, WA/Ballard HS) all played their last games as Bearcats. Willamette ended the season tied with Pacific University for fifth place in the NWC.