Linfield Blasts Oregon Tech, 4-0
Linfield completes its first back-to-back of the season when it plays host to the University of Dallas Saturday afternoon.
(McMINNVILLE, Ore.) — Moi Diaz (Fr., McMinnville, Ore.) supplied his second game-winning goal of the week and Brian DeGrandmont (So., Portland, Ore.) scored twice in the second period to lift the Wildcats to a 4-0 shutout against Oregon Tech Friday evening at the Linfield soccer field.
Playing in front of a full grandstand on a warm late summer night under the lights, the Wildcats ensured a 2-0 start to the year for the third straight season, all under Chuck Bechtol. Grant Loriaux (Sr., West Linn, Ore.) and Jorge Rodriguez (So., Beaverton, Ore.) split time in goal, combining for three saves, as the Wildcats (2-0) outshot the Owls (1-2) 19-10 on offense.
Chris Musser (Jr., Salem, Ore.) provided a great look for the ‘Cats in the early going, but his header off a free kick sailed wide. Less than three minutes later, Diaz cashed in. The Wildcat freshman struck the ball to the left of OIT starting keeper James Goheen for his second career goal and a 1-0 Linfield advantage in the 15th minute.
Ivan Colin (Jr., Napa, Calif.) gave Linfield some breathing room about 30 seconds later. Colin claimed possession of the ball in a crowded box and found the back of an open net, scooting the ball past two Oregon Tech defenders making a solid effort to block the look at goal.
The teams played even through the second half until Brian DeGrandmont (So., Portland, Ore.) capitalized on a breakaway in the 59th minute. Linfield's top returning scorer, playing in his first match of the season, tacked on a fourth Wildcat goal in the 71st minute, scoring off a feed from Rhys Lendio (So., Lahaina, Hawaii).
Benjamin Erck (Fr., Austin, Texas) nearly made it 5-0 with about two minutes to play, but his shot skimmed the right post, denying the freshman his first career goal.
GeRysan Cabanilla, Grant Alexander and Austin Shoenmann supplied the only looks at goal for the Owls.
UP NEXT:
Linfield completes its first back-to-back of the season when it plays host to the University of Dallas Saturday afternoon.
Match time is set for 2:30 p.m.
Source: Linfield Athletics
