News Release Date:
Saturday, October 18

WALLA WALLA, Wash. -- Marc Nabelek's first goal of the season was just enough to carry the Whitman College men's soccer team to a 1-0 victory over Linfield College Saturday afternoon at the Whitman Athletic Fields.

Beating Linfield for the second time this fall, Whitman retained sole possession of second place in the Northwest Conference. Whitman is now 5-1-2 in the NWC and 7-1-6 overall. Linfield is 2-6 and 6-7.

Nabelek's goal came midway through the 61st minute of play. The senior forward slammed home a 12-yard shot after gathering a long cross-the-field pass from senior defender Mike McKenzie. The scoring play came just three minutes after Linfield's Bryan Alford drew a red card (use of his hands to deny a goal-scoring opportunity) and left his team playing a man short.

The red card came at the end of a flurry in front of the Linfield goal. Nabelek beat the defense to Whitman keeper Brett Axelrod's long punt, but Nabelek's shot from inside the 18-yard box was blocked by Wildcat keeper Jon Thompson. Whitman's Cole Rathjen headed the rebound toward the far post and Alford was ruled to have knocked the ball away with his hand.

Whitman also received a penalty kick opportunity on the play, but Stephen Phillips knocked the shot high right to keep the game scoreless.

Making the most of its second-half advantage, Whitman outshot Linfield 10-4 over the final 45 minutes. The Wildcats mustered nine shots for the game but put only two on goal. The Missionaries finished with a total of 13 shots, seven of which were on goal.

Linfield got off to a quick start in the first half and outshot Whitman 5-3 prior to intermission, forcing Axelrod to make what would be his only two saves of the game. "Give credit to Linfield," Whitman coach Mike Washington said. "They changed their tactics a bit from the first time we played them, and it took us awhile to adjust. They made it difficult for us."

It was Whitman, however, that nearly broke the scoring ice as the first half played itself out. Phillips hit the post midway through half, and Jordan Droppert's rocket was punched wide by Thompson with about eight minutes left.

Linfield's best scoring opportunity came early in the second half. With Axelrod offline, defender Cooper Crosby raced and then slide across the box to smother a shot by Colin Bebee. "The defenders are trained to cover the goal when Brett goes out," Washington said. "Joe Johnson did the same thing earlier this season to save a goal."

Droppert led the Whitman offense with five shots. Nabelek added four and Phillips had three. All three players put two shots on goal.

Nabelek gave the offense a shot of energy off the bench. "Marc is energetic and fast, and he's hard to defend," Washington said. "He's strong and stays close to the ground. He's an awkward match-up for the defense. He's definitely a handful."

Travis Isaacs paced Linfield's offense with four shots, including two on goal. Bebee and Michel Camacho took two shots each.

Axelrod posted his sixth shutout of the season, which ties him for the NWC lead. Having given up just six goals in 13 games, Alexrod tops the conference in goals-against average, saves percentage and minutes played.

Whitman stays at home Sunday to host Willamette at 2:30 p.m.. Linfield heads to Spokane, Wash., on Sunday for a 2:30 game against Whitworth.

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CONTACT: Dave Holden
Sports Information Director
Whitman College, Walla Walla, Wash.
509 527-5902; holden@whitman.edu