LINFIELD UNIVERSITY WOMEN'S SOCCER VERSUS PACIFIC • SEPTEMBER 15, 2024
Head
WOMEN'S GOLF
MEN'S GOLF
AUG. 28 LANE CC (Exhibition) 7 P.M.
Aug. 30 at Bushnell 6 p.m.
SEPT. 2 WARNER PACIFIC4:30 P.M.
Sept. 7 at Bridgewater State 4 p.m. EDT
Sept. 8 at Eastern Mennonite 4 p.m. EDT
SEPT. 15 PACIFIC NOON
Sept. 18 at Pacific 5 p.m.
Sept. 21 at Puget Sound Noon
Sept. 22 at Pacific LutheranNoon
SEPT. 28 WHITMAN NOON
SEPT. 29 WHITWORTH NOON
Oct. 2 at Lewis & Clark 5 p.m.
OCT. 11 GEORGE FOX 5 P.M.
Oct. 13 at Willamette Noon
OCT. 19 PACIFIC LUTHERAN NOON
OCT. 20 PUGET SOUND NOON
Oct. 26 at Whitworth Noon
DATE OPPONENT TIME
Aug. 21 at Western Oregon (exhibition) 3 p.m.
AUG. 30 COLUMBIA BASIN C.C. 5 P.M.
SEPT. 2 EVERGREEN STATE 7 P.M.
SEPT. 6 CALTECH 7 P.M.
SEPT. 12 CAL LUTHERAN 7 P.M.
SEPT. 15 PACIFIC 2:45 P.M.
Sept. 18 at Pacific 7:45 p.m.
Sept. 21 at Puget Sound 2:45 p.m.
Sept. 22 at Pacific Lutheran
SEPT. 28 WHITMAN
SEPT. 29 WHITWORTH
Oct. 2 at Lewis & Clark
OCT. 11 GEORGE FOX
12 LEWIS & CLARK
Head Coach: Joseph Smith (148-28, 18th year)
Assistant Coaches: Jackson Vaughan, Brett Elliott, Neil Fendall, Bob Barnes, Nicholas Kernaghan, Greg McAnally, Justin Lyons, DATE OPPONENTTIME
Oct. 27 at Whitman Noon
OCT. 30 LEWIS & CLARK 5 P.M.
NOV. 9 WILLAMETTE 11 A.M
Nov. 10 at George Fox 11 a.m.
Head Coach: Andy Duvall (fifth year)
Assistant Coach: Alex Ponce
WELCOME TO LINFIELD UNIVERSITY
Conner
STATISTICS
Cade Johanssen
PUBLIC
Emerson Teller
VIDEO WEBCASTS
Levi Jones, Joe Stuart
VIDEO CAMERA
Joel Nelson
GAME
Kelly Bird, Conner Jensen, Jake Downing, Felipe Unker
2024 SEASON OUTLOOK
Consistent on-field effort is the key to a successful season for the Linfield men, says coach Andrew Duvall
Entering his fifth year as Linfield’s head men’s soccer coach, Andrew Duvall has shown consistent improvement from season to season since taking over at the start of the 2020 season.
According to Duvall, consistency and accountability set this team apart from those in recent history.
“From a management perspective, it has been the easiest preseason I’ve had here by far,” said Duvall. “That’s because our older players have been so outstanding at holding a high standard for themselves and everybody else underneath them.”
The Wildcats look to lean heavily on the play and leadership of returning seniors Sid Kosaris, Cameron Gaines, and Angel Hernandez. In 2023, Hernandez earned a second team all-league selection while Sid Kosaris led the team with six goals while earning second team all-NWC honors.
Juniors Sam Haynes, Evan Stafford, and Aedan Carroll are also expected to make an impact for this team as the trio combined for 3,826 minutes played last season.
Duvall hammered home the point that this season comes down to consistency.
“For us it’s about consistency. Trying to remain consistent in our mindset. Consistent in our work rate,” Duvall said. “Don’t change a whole lot. Continue to trust in what you know has established you.”
If the Wildcats maintain this consistent growth and build off the progress seen last season, this could be a dangerous team in the NWC during the 2024 season.
Linfield found at home in 2023, going 4-4-2 while averaging over three goals in the four home wins. With nine home matches this season, Linfield is hopeful to build off last year’s success and climb the Northwest Conference ladder.
To climb in the Northwest Conference standings, the women must sharply reduce the number of goals allowed
For the Linfield women’s soccer team, the 2023 season was a rollercoaster ride of highs and lows. At the end of the season, the team found itself with a 6-8-6 record and sitting in fifth place in the Northwest Conference table.
“We want to be higher in the table,” said head coach Steve Simmons. “I think fifth was a fair result last season and you know, the table doesn’t lie.”
Simmons is entering the sixth season of his second stint at the helm of the women’s soccer program and is hopeful that the team can be more aggressive on the defensive front.
In 2023, the ‘Cats conceded 31 goals, a number Simmons wants to sharply reduce.
“Our defensive effort is going to come from our front six, we’d like to be a team that presses a little more than in the past,” said Simmons. “I think if we can do that, we’ll hopefully see a decrease in goals against.”
Linfield will look to experienced leaders for defensive support with Jenna Stanley, a 2023 NWC all-conference honorable mention along with senior Kami Echiverri and graduate transfer from Wyoming, Rae Gerking.
The Linfield offense will be led by lead returning goalscorer Riley Omonaka from the midfield and Jocelyn Jacobs heading up the forward position.
Omonaka looks to build off a strong 2023 season in which she netted five goals to go along with one assist.
A season-ending injury sidelined goalkeeper Emilee Miller for the final half of last season and will keep her out for at least the beginning of the 2024 season.
Given the injury, Alexa Fritz looks to anchor the goalkeeper unit throughout the season with Maddie Funk, Faith Richards, Tati Zahajko and Kylie Rouspil bringing up the depth.
PROUD PARTNER OF LINFIELD ATHLETICS
SOCCER AND LACROSSE COMPLEX
THE DREAM OF A MODERN soccer and lacrosse facility at Linfield University has become reality at last.
The first phase of a $1.55 million project to revamp the current soccer and lacrosse facility was completed in December 2020. Phase 2 is planed to get underway once funding is secured.
The vision for substantially upgrading the Linfield Soccer and Lacrosse Complex has been discussed for many years. With the help of private funding from a cross-section of donors, the project is proceding in two phases.
In Phase 1 of the project, the natural grass field was converted to
FieldTurfTM, providing Linfield teams an ideal year-round practice and playing surface while substantially reducing maintenance and game setup costs. The field was draped with branded mesh screening, providing for a more intimate and enclosed setting. Six enclosed storage spaces to house team equipment and supplies are included in Phase 1.
Phase 2 calls for a new seating for 250 spectators as well as an adjoining paved plaza. It includes construction of a new pressbox on the west side of the field. Phase 2 could begin as early as 2021.
Dressing rooms for the women’s lacrosse and men’s and women’s soccer and teams are included as part of a multi-purpose structure planned for the stadium’s northwest corner. The new building will also contain a dressing room for visiting teams and game officials, restrooms and a concession stand.
Under the leadership of Linfield alumnus Rob Gloeckner of Tarkett Sports, the grass field was converted to a FieldTurfTM surface. The custombranded storage containers are being furnished by Boxwell co-founder Rod Bolls, a former Wildcats soccer player.
HEAD COACH STEVE SIMMONS
Steve Simmons is in the sixth year of his second tenure as Linfield women’s soccer coach. He is also in the midst of his seventh year as Linfield Assistant Athletic Director.
Simmons’ resumé sports 15 years of Division I coaching experience at Oregon State and Northern Illinois, in addition to serving five years as head coach of the Linfield men’s and women’s soccer and women’s lacrosse programs from 1996 until 2000.
Simmons, who owns a career record of 196-174-37 in 21 seasons as a collegiate head coach.
During his first tenure at Linfield, he took over a men’s team that went 1-150 in 1995 and led the Wildcats to three seasons of double-digit wins, including a 21-1-1 mark in 2000. That team knocked off top-ranked Ohio Wesleyan in the NCAA Division III quarterfinals losing in the NCAA Division III semifinals to eventual national champion Messiah College. On the women’s side, the Wildcats rose from ninth place to fourth place in his final season as coach.
Most recently, Simmons spent nine years as head coach of the Oregon State men’s soccer program. During his OSU tenure, the Beavers produced three MLS SuperDraft first round picks.
Prior to Oregon State, Simmons went 59-47-3 in six seasons as head coach at Northern Illinois.
He began his coaching career as an assistant at his alma mater, Concordia University-Portland, in 1990 before heading to Gonzaga University in 1994 as an assistant coach. A head coaching position followed the next season at Division III Whitworth University. Simmons led Whitworth to a 9-8-2 record in his first season to earn Northwest Conference Coach of the Year honors before moving on to Linfield.
As a collegian at Concordia, Simmons netted first-team AllAmerica honors from the National Christian College Athletic Association and NAIA Academic All-America recognition as a senior. He was a two-time NAIA Northwest All-
Region selection and was honored with Concordia’s Male Athlete of the Year Award in 1990 and was selected to the school’s Athletics Wall of Fame in 1993.
A graduate of Chugiak High School in Eagle River, Alaska, Simmons earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Concordia in 1990.
2024 LINFIELD WOMEN
Back row (l to r): Rae Gerking, Jordan Stoner, Kamahie Samudio, Sofia Pietrok, Sidra Griffin, Izzy Thompson, Jenna Stanley, Avery Pratt, Makayla Christensen, Jocelyn Jacobs, Amalia Tufts, Mia Arellano, Madelyn Boettcher.
Middle Row: Assistant Coach Carole Thomas, Assistant Coach Madi Reimer, Kami Echiverii, Lize Rendon, Sophie Eakin, Ruby Lacktrup, Parker Vale, McKenzie Heckman, Marley Ells, Reese Jones, Ava Vargas-Quiroz, Mia Curtaz, Saylor Swanson, Alyssa Ortega, Assistant Coach Erin Lutz, Head Coach Steve Simmons.
Front row: Jaeda Doctolero, Julia Alvarez, Riley Omonaka, Alexa Fritz, Faith Richards, Tati Zahajko, Maddie Funk, Emilee Miller, Kylie Rouspil, Jazz Gasca, Yaya Rodriguez, Lena Caballero Uhtoff.
MEET THE LINFIELD WOMEN
MADDIE FUNK | 0
| Freshman | GK Livermore, California
alexa fritz | 1
| Junior | GK Bend, Oregon
Lena Caballero Uhtoff | 4 5-1 | Freshman | M Ashland, Oregon
riley omonaka |13
| Senior | M Renton, Washington
ruby lacktrup | 22
Lize rendon | 27
| Junior | M Portland, Oregon
KAMAHIE SAMUDIO | 11
| Senior | F Lahaina, Hawaii
SOPHIE EAKIN | 12
| Sophomore | M Tacoma, Washington
AYLSSA ORTEGA| 5
| Freshman | M Eagle Point, Oregon
aVA VARGAS-QUIROZ| 23
| Freshman | F Roseville, California
Madelyn BOETTCHER | 33 5-7 | Sophomore | D Pleasant Hill, Oregon
sidra griffin | 14 5-7 | Senior | M Duvall, Washington
kylie rouspil | 48
5-4 | Freshman | GK San Carlos, California
MADELINE ELIASSEN Certified Athletic Trainer Third Year
Erin LUTZ Assistant Coach Fourth Year
carole thomas Assistant Coach First Year
JENNA STANLEY | 18 5-8 | Junior | D Puyallup, Washington
Julia alvarez | 9 5-1 | Freshman | F Seattle, Washington
MIA ARELLANO | 21
| Sophomore | D Tacoma, Washington
simmons Head Coach 11th Year
MEET THE LINFIELD WOMEN
mckenzie heckman | 15 5-5 | Sophomore | M
match breakdown
7 kami echiverri
THE RECORDS
Entering the week, Linfield stands at 2-0-1. After playing its final nonconference matchup against defending national champion Cal Lutheran (2-0-1) on Thursday, the Wildcats now turn their attention to Pacific (0-2-2). The ’Cats aim to improve on their 2023 Northwest Conference record of 4-7-5.
LINFIELD AT A GLANCE
The Wildcats currently average 2 goals and 10.5 shots on goal per match. University of Wyoming transfer Rae Gerking leads Linfield in goal scoring with two while Julia Alvarez and Sidra Griffin have each netted a goal of their own. Mia Curtaz has been efficient with distributing the ball throughout the young season, recording three assists. Junior Alexa Fritz has anchored the defense in net with four saves and a .667 save percent.
PACIFIC AT A GLANCE
The Boxers offense is led by Mirella Garcia with two goals, and Julia Fechter and Ivette Garcia-Gomez with one goal. Pacific has gotten off to a slow start to start the season, averaging one goal per match and leaving the Boxers searching for their first win of the season.
SERIES HISTORY
The Wildcats have controlled the all-time series against the Boxers, winning 32 out of 60 meetings. Linfield has won six of the last 10 matchups and holds a 18-10-2 record at home against Pacific.
LINFIELD WOMEN
PACIFIC WOMEN
MANAGED IT SERVICES
As of Sept. 9
HEAD COACH ANDREW DUVALL
AAndrew Duvall is in his fifth year as head coach of the Linfield men’s soccer program. Duvall came to Linfield after spending eight years as assistant men’s coach at Concordia University-Portland.
While at Concordia, Duvall managed a multitude of responsibilities, including recruiting, team training, academic mentorship, team travel, program budgeting, camps, team equipment and team scheduling.
The CU men’s program compiled a record of 90-60-14 during Duvall’s tenure, all while transitioning from an NAIA institution to a full-fledged member of NCAA Division II.
As a player, Duvall lettered four seasons in soccer at Concordia from 1999-2002, playing in 73 career matches. He began as an assistant coach at Concordia in 2011.
He holds a United States Soccer Federation (USSF) National B License and a USSF National Youth License. He completed a bachelor’s degree in psychology at Concordia in 2003 and went on to earn a master’s degree in physical education with a concentration in sport administration and coaching from the University of New Mexico in 2011.
Duvall has been a head coach, age group coordinator, assistant director of coaching and director of coaching for various youth soccer organizations in Washington, New Mexico and Oregon.
At Concordia, Duvall served as the athletic department’s director of internal operations, facilities coordinator, and taught courses as an adjunct professor within the School of Management and Department of Exercise and Sport Science.
LINFIELD SCHOOL OF BUSINESS MASTER'S DEGREE PROGRAM
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2024 LINFIELD MEN
Middle row: Head Coach Andrew Duvall, Jamis Gonzalez, Andrew Darco, Sid Kosaris, Nick Reggiani, Angel Hernandez, Charlie Strong, Andrew Ortiz, Ronan Hodge, Tate Bliss, Aedan Carroll, Blake Tasci, Cameron Gaines, Johann Singh Sanchez, Assistant Coach Alex Ponce.
Front row: Santiago Freile, Ryan Valdez, Marco Orlando, Riley Rama, Jose Yanez, Cade Alaniz, Jaren Nishikawa, Wyatt Ackermann, Sam Haynes, Patrick Moes, E.J. Sablan, Aidan Crossler, Anson Agapay, Oli Gaines.
Back row (l to r): Evan Stafford, David Contreras, Radule Bozovic, Ryan Hutchison, Luke Smith, Jacob Toves, Matty Hourigan, Colby Reese, Anderson Kelly, Keegan Brooks, Ross Vargo, Noah Stanley, Reece Gaines.
MEET THE LINFIELD MEN
California
ColBY REESE | 1
| Sophomore | GK Overland Park, Kansas
keegan brooks | 4
| Senior | D Henderson, Nevada
Reese gaines| 9
| Junior | F Walnut Creek, California
Johann singh sanchez|12
| Sohphomore | F Keizer, Oregon
charlie strong | 28
| Freshman | M Wellington, New Zealand
| Sophomore | M Puyallup, Washington
anson agapay| 5 5-7 | Senior | F Kahului, Hawaii
Cameron gaines | 14 5-9 | Senior | M Happy Valley, Oregon
Cade alaniz| 34
| Feshman | M Blythe, California
Andrew Ortiz| 32
| Freshman | M henderson, Nevada
Sophomore | M Ontario, Oregon
aedan carroll | 2
PATRICK MOES | 3 5-10 | Senior | M Boise, Idaho noah stanley | 30
| Junior | D Bakersfield, California
ronan hodge | 31
| Junior | F Grants Pass, Orego
Radule bozovic | 13 6-2 |Junior | D La Grange, Illinois
jacob toves |42
5-11 | Freshman | GK Talofofo, Guam
alex ponce Assistant Coach Seventh Year
andrew duvall Head Coach Fifth Year
joe stuart Broadcast Coordinator and Play-by-Play Announcer
greg hill Certified Athletic Trainer Kelly Bird Sports Communications and Marketing Director
oli gaines | 18 5-7 | Freshman | M Happy Valley, Oregon
marco orlando | 19
| Sophomore | D Camas, Washington
Ryan hutchinson | 21 6-3 | Freshman | F Corvallis, Montana
WYATT ACKERMANN| 23 5-9 | Senior | M Dana Point, California
luke smith | 22 6-3 | Sophomore | F Sammamish, Washington
riley rama | 20
| Sophomore | F Agat, Guam
MEET THE LINFIELD MEN match breakdown
ANGEL HERNANDEZ | 6 6-0 | Senior | D Kelso, Washington
ross vargo | 15
6-2 | Sophomore | D Sacramento, California
nick reggiani| 24 5-11 | Junior | D happy valley, Oregon
Jose yanez | 35
5-8 | Freshman | M Coos Bay, Oregon
Sam haynes | 7 5-9 | Junior | F Portland, Oregon
Evan Stafford | 16 6-1 | Junior | D Davis, California
David Contreras | 8 6-0 | Junior | M McMinnville, Oregon
ryan valdez | 17 5-4 | Sophomore | M Chula Vista, California
blake tasci | 26 5-10 | Sophomore | D Pasco, Washington
tate bliss|36 5-10 | Freshman | M Dever, Colorado
jake downing
Stantiago freile | 27 5-5 | Freshman | F Mendoza, Argentina
jaren nishikawa |38 5-9 | Freshman | D Rancho
Casey powell
15 ross vargo
THE RECORDS
Linfield (1-3) looks to bounce back after an East Coast road trip where the Wildcats lost back-to-back outings to Bridgewater and Eastern Mennonite. Thus far this season, the Wildcats have netted six goals but have struggled to keep the opposing offense out of the net, allowing 12 tallies. Linfield looks to change the narrative today against Pacific (2-1).
LINFIELD AT A GLANCE
E.J. Sablan is the early leader in goals scored for the Wildcats with two. As a team, the Wildcats are averaging 1.5 goals per match but are allowing double that amount at three goals per match. Radule Bozovic, Jacob Toves, Cade Alaniz and Tate Bliss currently lead the ’Cats in minutes played while Toves also leads the conference in total saves with 11. Sid Kosaris leads the team in shot attempts with eight.
PACIFIC AT A GLANCE
The Boxers average 1.7 goals per match and Donovan Jaramillo is among the conference leaders with two goals scored. Carter Zeiset, Noah Gosch and Aidan Pierias round out the Pacific attack with one goal each. Zach Aderinto has anchored the Pacific defense totaling five saves at a rate of 1.67 per match.
SERIES HISTORY
The Boxers lead the all-time series 24-31-6, though the Wildcats own a winning 15-10-4 record on their home field. Linfield is 4-5-1 in the last 10 meetings, losing both matchups last fall. The ’Cats score an average of 1.48 goals per match.
Palos Verdes, California Connor Jensen
LINFIELD MEN
Bakersfield, Calif. / Feather River College
PACIFIC MEN A
NORTHWEST CONFERENCE
As of Sept. 9 0 colby reese
CONFERENCEOVERALL
RECENT HONORS
Rae Gerking, a graduate student who played three seasons at the University of Wyoming, earns NWC weekly honors
Linfield defender Rae Gerking has played a key role in kicking off the Wildcats’ young season. The graduate senior, who transferred to Linfield after three seasons at the University of Wyoming, tallied two goals and a crucial assist in two matches last week, helping Linfield secure a win against Evergreen State and a draw against Caltech.
The Hazen High School graduate’s performance in Linfield’s two recent contests earned her the Wildcats’ first Northwest Conference Women’s Soccer Student-Athlete of the Week award this season.
Gerking’s goal against Caltech came in the first half to tie the match at one apiece. After a lightning delay paused action on the field, Linfield needed an equalizer with just one minute left to play. Gerking’s selflessness proved to be the difference maker as a pass off her foot led to a goal by Julia Alvarez, ending the match in a tie.
ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME
Five game-changing individuals, plus a national championship team, have been selected for induction into the Linfield Athletics Hall of Fame
The 26th Linfield Athletics Hall of Fame class is set to be enshrined inside Ted Wilson Gymnasium on Saturday, October 26. Pacific Office Automation again is serving as title sponsor of the annual event, which follows that afternoon’s football game.
This year’s class includes two former soccer players: all-time leading goal scorers Jeff Brooks of the Class of 1987 and Emily (Fellows) Terry, from the Class of 2014. Joining them this year are softball standouts Emily (Keagbine) Conner ’12 and Karleigh (Prestianni) Potter ’14, track and field sprint champion Melody Sherman ’06, and the 2013 national championship baseball team.
Tickets are available at golinfieldwildcats.com/ halloffame2024.
LINFIELD SPORTS NETWORK
All LSN broadcasts, both live and on demand, can be accessed at golinfieldwildcats.com/watch or from within the Linfield Athletics app on mobile, tablet or smart TVs
The Linfield Sports Network continues to bring fans live action of all home Linfield soccer matches in 2024. Fans can enjoy live video webcasts and play-by-play commentary on their computer, tablet, mobile device or Smart TV.
Live coverage begins 15 minutes prior to the start of each match. Broadcasts include a postgame wrap-up.
LSN live broadcasts are under the direction of Joe Stuart, the athletic department’s Broadcast Operations Coordinator.
In his fourth year in the position, Stuart oversees all technical production and management of LSN broadcasts as well as providing play-by-play commentary on football, basketball, baseball and softball webcasting in addition to assisting with other athletics communications needs.
Linfield sophomore Levi Jones begins his second season as the play-by-play voice of Wildcats men’s and women’s soccer. Jones, from nearby Newberg, began his broadcasting experience with the LSN last season.
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