WALLA WALLA, Wash. – The Whitman College men's soccer team responded from a crushing overtime loss, scoring three first-half goals in a dominant 5-0 defeat of Linfield College in Northwest Conference action Sunday at the Whitman Athletics Fields.

Oscar Harding led the Blues with a goal and a pair of assists, both off corner kicks, with Jadon Bachtold adding a goal and an assist.

Owen Davis-Bower posted two saves before being spelled with 15 minutes to play by Jack Filipponi. Linfield keeper Cameron Perron made four saves in the losing effort. He was subbed late in the game for Nick Van Kleek.

The Blues (7-6, 6-3 NWC) got on the scoreboard early with a brilliant goal less than 10 minutes into the game. Alex Cooper delivered a bending ball to the back post, finding the head of Bachtold who finished past Perron.

Whitman struck again in the 21^st minute when Sam Johnson handled a loose ball off a Bachtold shot and finished to the far post. Less than five minutes later the Blues added a third off a corner kick from Oscar Harding. Harding found the head of an open Derivan Docktor who put his team up by three goals at the half.

Joe Wally added a fourth in the 77^th minute with Harding capping with scoring with a goal at under two minutes to play.

The Blues return to action next Saturday, Oct. 20 with a visit to Puget Sound. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m.