WELCOME TO LINFIELD UNIVERSITY
Cade
VIDEO
Levi
VIDEO
Kelly Bird, Conner Jensen, Jake Downing, Felipe Unker
WILDCAT SPOTLIGHT
IN SEARCH OF COMMUNITY
When Keegan Brooks went looking for a college to attend, his top priority was finding a close-knit community
by KELLEN WIGGINS ’28
From an early age, Keegan Brooks has been in love with soccer. The game helped shape his life from an early age. And once he graduates from Linfield University in May, the Wildcats defender intends to use everything he has learned from the game and his life growing up to help make a significant impact in people’s lives.
Brooks followed an interesting path to Linfield, a relatively small institution of about 1,700 students on its two campuses. In contrast, Brooks grew up in fast-growing Las Vegas, Nevada. So how did Brooks get to Linfield in McMinnville, Oregon?
When Brooks arrived on a visit to Linfield as a prospective student, he felt the presence of what makes Linfield great almost immediately.
“The nuances were different, to say the least, but Linfield was comforting,” he says, looking back. “There was just something different about Linfield. The feel that both the environment and the community gave me was something much different than I had ever experienced growing up in Las Vegas.”
In a city as large as Las Vegas, it can be difficult to locate a closely connected community. When Brooks visited Linfield, he felt the sense of belonging he longed for.
“The tight-knit community that enveloped Linfield and McMinnville as a whole was quite the opposite of my hometown and I loved it,” he says. “On campus, there was a sense of camaraderie and unity that surrounded every athlete and student, something that I was searching for in my college experience.”
Brooks was extremely impressed with Wildcats coach Andrew Duvall and the family culture he had developed. Meeting the coach, seeing the facilities, and appreciating the environment firsthand got Brooks excited about what becoming a Wildcat might look like and the impact he could make both on and off the field.
Duvall and the men’s soccer program was “striving to create a family amongst the team and with that, develop men as well as athletes,” Brooks says. “I got the overwhelming feeling that this team and program was of the utmost importance
to him. He created an image that I couldn’t help but imagine myself in. It was everything I was looking for.”
Taking all the important factors into consideration, Brooks found the answer to what the next steps were for him. It was Linfield and he knew the university and McMinnville would be a place where he could evolve as a person while enjoying playing competitive soccer.
“Linfield seemed like it was more than just another university,” he says, “it seemed like home.”
ooks has experienced a successful career as a student-athlete at Linfield, though it’s fair to say his soccer career has not been all sunshine and rainbows. His love for soccer has been tested repeatedly through injuries in his sophomore and junior campaigns. And although Brooks got knocked down, he wasn’t going to quit the game he had played his entire life.
“My sophomore and junior seasons were full of injury with most nights spent in pain like I hadn’t known,” he says. “But perhaps the part that hurt the most was not being allowed on the field. Soccer was all I knew and for it to be taken away from me was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to endure. With all these hurdles, I didn’t exactly know what to do, but I knew I couldn’t quit.”
Despite coping with periods of adversity, Brooks looks back on his time as a Wildcat as an enjoyable experience. He appreciates all the things soccer has taught him at the collegiate level.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way. (Playing soccer) created the foundation for my beliefs, and with that, the person I am today. In addition, my time on the team has shown me that nothing in life will work unless you do.”
ooks is on track to graduate in the spring with a bachelor’s degree in marketing, an area he had always had an interest in. Quite naturally, he was brought into the world of science through his injuries and some medical problems his father experienced. The situation brought fear to Brooks and inspired him to get involved in science as well.
Brooks says he plans to go into medical sales to help families cope with the kind of trauma he himself
“My father has had over 30 orthopedic surgeries. Growing up, this brought my family a lot of fear and obstacles,” he says. “On top of that, I’ve been an athlete my whole life and with that injuries are inevitable. Due to my history with the medical world and my passion for fitness, I always saw myself being a part of the health industry and this just felt like the most natural path.”
ooks’ ability to never quit and always keep pushing to be the best possible self he can be, there’s no doubt he’ll follow the same path to success as many other
PROUD PARTNER OF LINFIELD ATHLETICS
SOCCER AND LACROSSE COMPLEX
THE DREAM OF A MODERN soccer and lacrosse facility at Linfield University has become reality.
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.
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
before losing in the NCAA Division III semifinals to eventual national champion Messiah. 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 first round picks.
A graduate of Chugiak High School in Eagle River, Alaska, Simmons earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Concordia in 1990. He received a master’s degree in physical education from Gonzaga in 1996.
He and his wife, Maria, have three grown children.
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 mia curtaz| 10
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
saylor swanson | 32 5-2 | Sophomore | F Hubbard, Oregon
AVERY PRATT | 29
| Sophomore | D Portland, Oregon
JAEDA DOCTOLERO | 2
YAYA RODRIGUEZ | 3
| Senior | F Woodburn, Oregon
Reese Jones | 20
| Junior | D Lake Forest Park, Washington
amalia tufts| 30
MAKAYLA CHRISTENSEN| 31
| Sophomore | M Eugene, 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
MEET THE LINFIELD WOMEN
mckenzie heckman | 15
5-5 | Sophomore | M Hollister, California
sofia pietrok |24 5-6 | Junior | D Portland, Oregon jordan stoner | 17
match breakdown
THE RECORDS
Linfield (5-7-6, 3-7-4 NWC) is determined to finish the season on a high note. Willamette (6-7-5, 5-6-3 NWC) currently sits five points above Linfield at fifth place in the NWC standings.
LINFIELD AT A GLANCE
Freshman Julia Alvarez maintains her lead as Linfield’s top goal scorer with four tallies. Rae Gerking is close behind with two goals. Sidra Griffin is a constant presence in the midfield, having played 1,445 minutes. Mia Curtaz has notched three assists to go along with 14 shots. Goalie Alexa Fritz has 53 saves, maintaining a save percentage of .815 over 16 matches.
WILLAMETTE AT A GLANCE
The Bearcats offense is led by the high-powered leg of Nina Krassner-Cybulski whose 10 goals ranks third in the NWC. Behind Krassner-Cybulski is senior El-la Abraham and sophomore Ella McComas who both have two goals. Goalkeeping duties have fallen into the hands of Sam Borngasser, who has 71 saves and an.807 save percentage to rank second in the NWC.
SERIES HISTORY
The Wildcats trail the Bearcats in the all-time series 18-35-7 with Linfield’s last victory coming in 2023 in Salem. In the matchup earlier this season, Willamette prevailed 1-0 in a defensive battle.
emilee miller | 45
30 AMALIA TUFTS
LINFIELD WOMEN
WILLAMETTE WOMEN
MANAGED IT SERVICES
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.
A Heritage of Confident Service
Macy & Son is in the business of helping people and meeting the individual needs of McMinnville area families for five generations.
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.
THE LINFIELD MEN
matty hourigan | 0
6-2 | Sophomore | GK Brentwood, California
ColBY REESE | 1 5-10 | Sophomore | GK Overland Park, Kansas
keegan brooks | 4 6-2 | Senior | D Henderson, Nevada
Reese gaines| 9
6-2 | Junior | F Walnut Creek, California
Johann singh sanchez|12 5-8 | Sohphomore | F Keizer, Oregon
Santiago freile | 27
5-5 | Freshman | F Mendoza, Argentina
sid kosaris | 10 5-10 | Senior | M Vancouver, Washington
E.J. Sablan | 11 5-9 | Sophomore | M Puyallup, Washington
anson agapay| 5 5-7 | Senior | F Kahului, Hawaii
Cameron gaines | 14 5-9 | Senior | M Happy Valley, Oregon
Andrew Ortiz| 32 6-2 | Freshman | M henderson, Nevada
ronan hodge | 31 5-9 | Junior | F Grants Pass, Oregon
charlie strong | 28 6-0 | Freshman | M Wellington, New Zealand
aedan carroll | 2 6-0 | Junior | D Sacramento, California
PATRICK MOES | 3 5-10 | Senior | M Boise, Idaho
jamis gonzalez | 29 5-10 | Sophomore | M Ontario, Oregon
noah stanley | 30 6-1 | Junior | D Bakersfield, California
Radule bozovic | 13 6-2 |Junior | D La Grange, Illinois
jaren nishikawa |38 5-9 | Freshman | D Rancho Palos Verdes, California
andrew duvall Head Coach Fifth Year
jacob toves |42 5-11 | Freshman | GK Talofofo, Guam
Kelly Bird Sports Communications and Marketing Directora
alex ponce Assistant Coach Seventh Year
kaylie bansen Certified Athletic Trainer
oli gaines | 18
5-7 | Freshman | M Happy Valley, Oregon
marco orlando | 19 5-4 | 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 5-7 | 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
Cade alaniz| 34
5-9 | Feshman | M
California
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
anderson kelly | 25 6-3 | Freshman | D San Diego, California
5-11 | Junior | D happy valley, Oregon Connor Jensen
Jose yanez | 35 5-8 | Freshman | M
blake tasci | 26
5-10 | Sophomore | D Pasco, Washington
tate bliss|36 5-10 | Freshman | M Dever, Colorado
3 patrick moes
THE RECORDS
Coming off of its best offensive performance in conference play, Linfield (3-13-2, 2-10-2 NWC) seeks to sustain its momentum through the final two matches. The Wildcats dominated their only match last week 3-0 against Lewis & Clark. Today, the Wildcats host seventh-place Willamette (5-8-5, 5-5-4 NWC) before traveling to Newberg to battle third-place George Fox (12-5-1, 8-5-1 NWC) in the season finale on Sunday.
LINFIELD AT A GLANCE
E.J. Sablan elevated his season total to seven goals to rank seventh in the NWC in scoring. Sid Kosaris remains close behind with three goals while Cam-eron Gaines has two. Kosaris also tops the team in assists, setting teammates up for goals five times. Radule Bozovic has played the most minutes with 1,243 on the back line. Goalkeepers Jacob Toves and Colby Reese have split time in net. Toves, a native of Guam, has recorded 64 saves with a save percentage of .688, while Colby Reese has logged 27 saves and a .614 save percentage.
WILLAMETTE AT A GLANCE
Senior Krisna Lafrance has emerged as the leading scorer with nine goals for the Bearcats, ranking fifth in the NWC. Following closely is Sean Kim, who has contributed four goals and also leads the team in assists with five. In goal, Ryan Doyle has been the mainstay for Willamette, but Evan Bierman has taken over in the last three matches. Doyle has made 41 saves, while Bierman has contributed an additional 14 saves.
SERIES HISTORY
Linfield trails Willamette in the all-time series 28-30-3. In a matchup last month in Salem, the squads battled to a 2-2 tie.
Blythe,
Coos Bay, Oregon
joe stuart
LINFIELD MEN
WILLAMETTE MEN
NORTHWEST CONFERENCE
men’s soccer STANDINGS
Having put together an electric performance in Linfield’s 68-28 victory over Pacific, senior wide receiver Maclain Stoneking was choses as the Northwest Conference Special Teams StudentAthlete of the Week.
The Del Oro (Calif.) High School gradute is the third Wildcat to be selected for a student-athlete of the week award, joining Caleb Sell and Blaze Holani.
Stoneking finished Saturday’s game with 201 all-purpose yards, including a touchdown on a 64-yard punt return to account for more than half of his 106 punt return yards. The senior’s 81 kick return yards are a season high and the touchdown marks his fourth career return that has been returned to the end zone.
On the receiving end, Stoneking has 25 receptions this season for 334 yards and one touchdown.
The Loomis, California native is majoring in management.
maclain stoneking
ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME
WINTER SPORTS
With the calendar now turned to November, winter sports are now underway at Linfield.
Competition in men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s swimming, and men’s and women’s wrestling get rolling even before the fall sports seasons are completed.
Here’s a glance at the Wildcats’ upcoming home event schedules during November and December.
DATE EVENT OPPONENT
Nov. 21
Nov. 26
Dec.
Dec. 7 Wrestling Cal Poly Humboldt Noon
Dec.
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 most home Linfield athletic contests in 2024-25. 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 is in 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.
Experience the personalized care you expect from a community bank with access to the banking
that makes managing your money more
