WALLA WALLA, Wash. - A little home cooking can do a team wonders. Kevin Serrano scored three goals and assisted on another to lead the Whitman College men's soccer team to a much needed 4-1 win over Linfield in Northwest Conference action on Sunday afternoon at James Hayner Field.
It had been three weeks and five games since the Blues had graced the friendly Hayner Field confines which resulted in a resounding victory over the Wildcats. Lucas Haigh posted a first-half shutout with Niclas Isensee and Tait Whittemore playing the second half.Â
The Blues (9-5-2, 6-4-2 NWC) struck first with a goal in the 10th minute. After pressuring the Wildcat goal right from the kickoff, Whitman earned a corner kick which was taken by Serrano. He delivered a perfect ball to the head of Jude Clum-Stockton who directed his shot just underneath the crossbar and into the back of the net.
Linfield (2-13-2, 1-10-2 NWC) responded by finally pushing the ball into its attacking third. They served several dangerous balls into the goal mouth which were gobbled up by Haigh. No goals were had by the Wildcats during that stretch which was followed by Whitman finding the back of the net for a second time. Adrian Valencia found Oliver Dickson out of the back who played a ball over the backline to Serrano. He rocketed his shot which bounced off the crossbar and into the goal.
Linfield got back into the match with a goal just minutes into the second half. After the Wildcats earned a corner kick, Keegan Brooks served a ball into the goal which found the foot of Sid Kosaris. Kosaris finished past Isensee who had spelled Haigh in goal to start the second half.
Both teams saw goal scoring opportunities as the half wore on, but it was Serrano, for the second time scored Whitman's third goal and put the Blues in the driver's seat to pick up the win. He added a third in ther 75th minute as Whitman pulled away for the win.
The Blues are in action next when they visit Lewis & Clark on Saturday, Nov. 2. Kickoff is slated for 12:00 p.m.
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