Kim, LaFrance, and Alexander Score as Bearcats Down Linfield 3-1

Kim, LaFrance, and Alexander Score as Bearcats Down Linfield 3-1

McMinnville, Ore. - Men's Soccer won their final match of the season on Saturday by defeating Linfield University 3-1 on goals by Sean Kim, Krisna LaFrance, and Drew Alexander.  

Sean Kim got the scoring started early for Willamette when he scored off assists by Drew Alexander and Paddy Bell.  It was the career-best seventh goal of the season for Kim and gave the Bearcats an early 1-0 lead.  

Twenty minutes later Willamette extended its lead on the second goal of the week from defender Drew Alexander, this time on assists by Andrew Reed and Evan Marsical.  Alexander scored earlier this week to tie Willamette's match with Pacific at 1-1 with just 80 seconds left in the match.

The Wildcats got one back in the 41st minute on a goal by Ross Vargo and the match went to halftime with Willamette leading 2-1.

The second half started with Linfield trying to tie the match and Willamette looking to extend their lead, something they almost did when Sean Kim's shot in the 67th minute hit off the right post.  The Bearcats got the goal they wanted when LaFrance finished the scoring in the 78th minute off a feed from Rory McKee.  It was the sixth goal in the past five matches for LaFrance and his team-leading 10th on the season.

Linfield outshot Willamette 19-18 for the match, but the Bearcats placed more on goal, 10-6.  LaFrance and Kim led the Bearcats in shots, each firing off six, followed by Tiago Palhetas with two.  Evan Bierman played the full ninety minutes in goal and made five saves.

This game wrapped up the season for Willamette who ended with a record of 6-8-6 overall and 6-5-5 in Northwest Conference play.  It was the Bearcats' seventh consecutive year with a winning record in conference games.