McMINNVILLE, Ore. – A Northwest Conference win remains elusive for the Linfield men after a heartbreaking 2-1 double-overtime loss to Pacific Sunday at the Linfield soccer field.

A late heroic goal by Wildcat forward Danny Snelgrow (Sr., Honolulu, Hawaii) sent the game to overtime, but it was the Boxers (2-6, 2-2 NWC) that had the last laugh, scoring off a deflected ball in the 104th minute to escape with a win.

For the second straight game, Linfield (1-5-1, 0-3-1 NWC) held its opponent scoreless over the first 45 minutes. Offensively, despite putting up eight shots, including a perfectly placed ball by Ivan Colin that hit the far post, the Wildcats entered halftime in a tie.

The Boxers, who only got off two shots in the first half, came out of the break as the aggressors, firing three shots in the first 15 minutes of the second period.

The third one was good and gave Pacific a 1-0 lead in the 60th minute. Boxer midfielder Patrick Murray took aim from about 10 yards out and laced a shot past a diving Scott Goodman (Soph., Newberg, Ore.) on the far right side of the goal.

With time running out for the home team, Snelgrow came to the rescue for the ‘Cats in the 84th minute. He received a pass from Zach Farrington on a free kick and headed the ball into the net over Pacific keeper Michael Summers’ outstretched arms.

Both squads had chances to end the game in regulation, including two corner-kick opportunities for Pacific, but the defense held steady to force extra time.

A quiet first overtime period saw just three combined shots, including two by the Wildcats. It was much of the same in the second overtime, and it looked as through the match would end in a second-consecutive tie for Linfield. But Pacific had one more big play to make.

Murray scored his second goal of the game, this one on a putback after a first shot attempt by the Boxers bounced of the Linfield keeper’s hands. His goal ended the game, denying the Wildcats their first league win.

‘CAT SCRATCH: Pacific has now won five straight against Linfield…a physical match saw players whistled for a total of 32 fouls and five yellow cards…the Wildcats were penalized with six offside infractions.

NEXT: Linfield hosts another round of back-to-back home games next weekend when eastern Washington clubs Whitman and Whitworth come to town. Match times for both Saturday and Sunday are 2:30 p.m.