In the first conference matchup of the season against Willamette, the Logger men proved they could control the ball well as they fended off the Bearcats with a 3-2 win on Saturday , September 17th. The Loggers maintained possession for the majority of the match and they especially looked strong in the center of the pitch.
Sophomore Andrew White (Steamboat Springs, Colo.) was heating up during the first half with two consecutive goals within the first half hour of the game. He was assisted by senior Terence Blackburn (Tacoma, Wash.) and sophomore Landon Gauthier (Fox Island , Wash.). Only five minutes into the second half, Gauthier bent the ball around the Bearcats’ goalkeeper from the right flank to score an unassisted goal.
The Bearcats rallied in the second half with two goals in the 75th and 89th minutes but weren’t able to slot another one past the junior Logger goalkeeper, Chris McDonald (Newton, Mass.) to tie up the game.
The Loggers continued their momentum into the game on Sunday, September 18th, shutting out Linfield with a 3-0 win. Outshooting the Wildcats 17-7, the Loggers looked stronger than ever and ready to take on the rest of the Northwest Conference. Senior defender,Peter Russell (Beavercreek, Ore.) scored the first goal of his collegiate career in the 54th minute. Just nine minutes later, sophomore Vincent McCluskey (Seattle, Wash.) was assisted by a beautifully placed cross sent from sophomore Matt Durland (Seattle, Wash.) to give the Loggers a 2-0 lead before the half. During the 79th minute, sophomore Colin McIntosh (Olympia, Wash.) scored on a penalty kick to secure the win. Chris McDonald saved one shot for his second shutout for the season. “Any time a team can return all but one senior there is a huge opportunity for growth, and I believe that we have all the necessary pieces to be a legitimate contender for the conference title and to make an impact in the national tournament,” McDonald said.
Next weekend will be important as the Loggers travel to play two tough opponents, Whitworth and Whitman. The team is feeling confident from the two victories this weekend.