Linfield Scores on Counter-Attack in Second Half to Move Past Willamette, 2-1

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Rhys Lendio of Linfield College broke a 1-1 tie with a counter-attack goal at 56:25 and the Wildcats held on to defeat Willamette University, 2-1, in a Northwest Conference men's soccer game on Saturday, Nov. 5 at Sparks Field. The game was tied at halftime on goals by Isaias Flores of Linfield and Jack Elton of Willamette in the first 15 minutes.

The Wildcats improved to 3-14-2 overall, 3-10-1 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette ended its season at 8-8-1 overall, 6-7-1 in the NWC.

Flores opened the scoring at 10:27 on a shot from 20 yards to the bottom right corner of the net. He was assisted on the play by Landio. The goal by Flores was just 53 seconds after Julian Hanlon-Austin (Sr., F, Portland, OR/Grant HS) missed a penalty kick for Willamette at the other end other end of the field. Hanlon-Austin's shot was saved by Linfield goalkeeper Jorge Rodriguez near the attacking right post.

Willamette tied the score less than four minutes after the goal by Flores, when Elton took a free kick from 25 yards out and sent the ball into the lower left corner of the goal.

Lendio's game-winning goal was scored after a long pass from Henry Rosenfield. Lendio beat the WU defense to the ball and shot from 15 yards out. WU goalkeeper Josh Fuentes (Sr., GK, Salem, OR/South Salem HS) partially deflected the shot with his hands, but the ball still went into the net.

The Bearcats outshot the Wildcasts 9-3 during the remainder of the game, but were unable to score an equalizer. Three of Willamette's shots were saved by Rodriguez. In addition, a shot by Royce Romero (Sr./Jr., D/M, Waipahu, HI/Punahou School) was kept out of the goal by a Linfield defender.

Willamete finished the match with an 18-11 advantage in total shots and an 8-6 margin in shots on goal. The Bearcats also gained a 9-4 edge in corner kicks.

Rodriguez earned six saves for Linfield, including a total of four in the second half. Fuentes finished with four saves, before giving way to Mason Kelliher (Fr., GK, Wellington, N.Z./Wellington College) for the final 15:38 of the game.

Diego Ochoa (So., F, Coronado, CA/Coronado HS) of Willamette topped all players with six total shots and had two shots on goal. Elton provided four total shots, including a game-high three shots on target. Hanlon-Austin added three shots with two shots on goal. Lendio recorded three shots for Linfield.

Prior to the game, Willamette honored its nine seniors:  Austin Arnold (Jr./So., M, Portland, OR/Grant HS), Christopher Barnes (Sr., M, Los Altos, CA/Mountain View HS), Elton, Fuentes, Fabian Guerrero (Sr., M, Salem, OR/South Salem HS), Hanlon-Austin, Romero, Ethan Tait (Sr., F, Turlock, CA/Turlock HS) and Noah Walin (Sr., M, Paia, HI/Seabury Hall).