NEWBERG, Ore. --- The George Fox men's soccer team scored two goals in quick succession in the first half and held off Linfield in the second half for a 2-1 victory in their final home game of the season.
How it happened
Jackson Keller, one of the nine senior class players recognized in a pregame ceremony, had a hand in both Bruin goals and nearly a third.
"Jackson's had a tough year," said Bruin head coach Paul Karver. "He came in with big expectations for himself and fair expectations because he is a very good player. Then he goes down early with an injury. I think what's happened in the last week is he's fit now. He's understanding the new system we put in a little better. Tonight is just what happens when guys don't quit."
In the 22nd minute, Bruin midfielder Alan Rincon made a beautiful play to poke the ball through a defender's legs near the Linfield end line, clearing a lane for a clean cross from the left onto the head of Keller, who poked it inside the right post to put George Fox up 1-0.
"Alan made it look really pretty," said Keller. "He made that guy look lost. He put it right on my head and I didn't have to move. I just flicked it on."
Just two minutes later, Keller carried the ball nearly 50 yards on a breakaway into the attacking half. After playing the ball way out in front into the penalty area, Keller showed his speed, drawing Linfield goalkeeper Peyton Frazier off his line, but beating him to the ball. Frazier's tackle got all Keller and no ball, earning a penalty kick for George Fox. Rincon took the PK and drove it into the left side netting for his team-leading fifth goal of the season to put the Bruins up 2-0.
"I just looked up and saw their center back," said Keller. "I was able to put it around him and I was gone."
"The guys came out firing and it was great," said head coach Paul Karver. "The guys came to battle. You look at the first half and we played really well. Then we came in at halftime. We made some adjustments. They made some adjustments. The weather changed and all of a sudden we were playing against the wind."
Senior goalkeeper Alex Muir kept the Wildcats off the scoreboard with five saves in the first half, including a leaping tip over the bar on a strong high shot from Linfield midfielder Seamus Miller. Linfield broke through with a goal in the 58th minute. Taking a cross from the right side, Romario Mendoza rebounded his own blocked shot and cracked the follow-up into the bottom right corner. The Wildcats would keep up pressure in the second half, but quality shots on goal were wanting. The teams each had six shots in the final 45 minutes with three of Linfield's finding the frame.
Keller nearly gave George Fox a third goal when he found himself all alone at midfield on a breakaway with about 20 minutes remaining. Frazier again came out to challenge and it appeared to be a repeat of the first-half takedown as Keller got upended before he could get a shot away. Alas, no call from the referee this time, which elicited howls of reprobation from the George Fox fans, who braved showers and high winds to watch their Bruins win their fifth match of the season, earning the sweep over the rival 'Cats.
"I put it around the goalie and I was going to get there," said Keller. "The goalie just went straight into me. The ref says I took a bad touch. I knew what I was doing, I was going to get there."
Top Performers
Sean Beuckens and Solek Ashkinos each put two of his four shots on goal. With a goal and an assist, Rincon now has 12 points on the season to rank in the top ten in the NWC. Muir had seven saves.
Coach's Thoughts
"We had a lot of stuff going against us. Guys had to fight together. Every single guy, all thirty guys on this roster, the whole coaching staff, everybody had to battle and encourage each other and pick each other up. That's what we've been working towards is to find ways to win games like this."
What it Means
The Bruins improved to 3-8 in conference play with two of the three wins coming over Linfield.
Up Next
Now 5-10 overall, the Bruins wrap up the season with three straight road games, starting in Tacoma next weekend with matches at Puget Sound Saturday and Pacific Lutheran on Sunday. Both games start at 2:30 p.m.
