Boxers Down Rival Linfield, Move Into First Place

It was Porter's first collegiate goal and Atta's second assist of the year.

Brandon Porter Photo: Pacific University

FOREST GROVE - Brandon Porter's second half goal moved Pacific into first place in the Northwest Conference standings Wednesday as the Boxers posted a 2-1 victory over Linfield in men's soccer action at Tom Reynolds Field.

Porter connected in the 82nd minute on one of only four second half chances for the Boxers, heading in the goal off a right-side corner kick from Derek Atta.

It was Porter's first collegiate goal and Atta's second assist of the year.

The victory, coupled with Puget Sound's 1-1 tie with Pacific Lutheran, moved the Boxers (8-2-1, 5-2-1 NWC) two points ahead of both the Loggers and Whitworth for first in the NWC standings with 16 points. Linfield (6-4-2, 3-3-2 NWC) dropped to fifth in the conference and took their first loss to Pacific since the 1999 season.

Pacific's win was once again a defensive effort as Linfield outshot the Boxers 17-7 and held a 5-3 advantage on corner kicks.

It was the Boxers, however, who scored first. Matt McDonough connected on his league-leading ninth goal of the season in the 24th minute when he pulled Jared Komo's missed shot out of a goal-line scrum.

Linfield's Nick Jauregui came off the bench in the 27th minute and two minutes later managed to catch the Pacific offense asleep. He scored his first collegiate goal in the 30th minute off a left-side crossing pass from Thomas Ryan.

Mike Grabast came up with the Wildcats' best chance to tie the match late in the second half as Linfield made a late surge after Porter's game-winner. Grabast banged a 15-yard shot into the crease with 1:30 left, only to watch the ball hit the right post and fall to the ground in front of Pacific goalie Jory Shene.

Shene, the reigning NWC Defensive Player of the Week, turned in another fine performance with six saves. Linfield netminder Grant Williams made three saves before having to leave the match in the 89th minute after injuring himself in a collision with a Pacific forward.

The Boxers will face Pacific Lutheran in another critical NWC match Sunday, hosting the Lutes at 2:30 PM.

The Wildcats host Puget Sound on Saturday.

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