NEWBERG, Ore. – Finding it much more difficult to defeat their Yamhill County rivals the second time around, the Linfield College Wildcats made a first-half goal by Michel Camacho stand up for a 1-0 win over the George Fox University Bruins in Northwest Conference men's soccer Saturday afternoon here at the Austin Sports Complex.

In their first meeting this fall on Sept. 26, Danny Snelgrow had tied a Linfield record with five goals in a game as the Wildcats romped 7-0.  This time, the Bruins battled the 'Cats on virtually even terms and nearly sent the game into overtime with two good scoring opportunities in the last five minutes.

Linfield's score was a well-executed play that was initiated by Harper Taylor near midfield with a lead pass to Kevin Donato streaking down the left sideline.  After a few paces, Donato crossed to the middle of the box for Camacho, who sent a shot from 10 yards out into the right corner for his team-high sixth goal of the season early in the 28th minute.  It was Donato's team-leading fifth assist.

Both teams had other opportunities, Linfield taking 22 shots total to 13 for George Fox, with 11 shots on goal for the Wildcats to eight for the Bruins, but the defenses were up their tasks the rest of the way.  Linfield had a 6-2 edge in corner kicks as well.

The Bruins' Christian Reed and Nick Schoen each had chances to punch home the equalizer late in the second half, Reed in the 86th minutes and Schoen in the 88th minute, but Linfield keeper Cody Tipton made fine stops each time to preserve the shutout.

Both goalies were busy, the Bruins' Elliott Davis tying his career high set three nights early at Pacific University with 10 saves, and Tipton collecting eight saves. 

NEXT: George Fox (0-10-1, NWC 0-8) remains home to host Willamette University Sunday at 2:30 p.m.   ... Linfield (6-5-1, NWC 5-3) visits Pacific University in Forest Grove, Ore., Sunday, also at 2:30 p.m.