By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director
SALEM, Ore. -- Linfield College received goals form Ivan Colin and Alexander Gosselin-Bockel to defeat Willamette University, 2-0, in a Northwest Conference men's soccer game on Saturday, Oct. 10 at Sparks Field. Linfield improved to 7-6-0 overall, 3-4 in the NWC, while Willamette dropped to 3-8-1 on the season, 2-5 in the NWC.
The teams were competing in an even battle until Colin stole the ball about 30 yards from Willamette's goal, advanced into the penalty area, and shot from 13 yards into the goal at 13:07. It was Colin's first goal of the season.
Linfield, which trailed 2-0 in shots prior to the successful attempt by Colin, gained momentum from the unassisted goal. The Wildcats took 10 shots over the next 17 minutes and held a 13-6 edge at halftime.
Willamette's best chance of the game was a glancing header by Noah Walin (Jr., M, Paia, HI/Seabury Hall) at 31:45 folloiwng a throw-in. Walins shot was cleared off the goal line by a Linfield defender.
The Wildcats extended the lead to 2-0 on a Gosselin-Bockel's goal less than nine minutes into the second half at 53:43. Gosselin-Bockel shot from 30 yards on the left side of the field and sent the ball into the upper right corner. His shot followed a direct pass by Colin on a corner kick.
Willamette earned four shots and three corner kicks the rest of the way, but was unable to cut into Linfield's lead.
Jorge Rodriguez, who played in goal for the Wildcats, did not make a save in the second half, but he cut off multiple crossing passes and also knocked the ball away several times as the Bearcats were preparing for headers in the box. Rodriguez earned two saves in the first half. WU goalie Braydon Calder (Sr., GK, Philomath, OR/Philomath HS) finished with three saves.
Linfield registered a 19-10 advantage in shots, including a 5-3 margin in shots on goal. Moi Diaz of Linfield led all players with five total shots. Each team recorded four corner kicks.
WU will return to action on Saturday, Oct. 17, when the Bearcat are slated to host Pacific Lutheran University. Game time is 2:30 p.m. (PDT). The Bearcats defeated the Lutes, 1-0, at PLU on Oct. 4.
