McMINNVILLE, Ore. – Two second-half goals by defending Northwest Conference champion Pacific Lutheran caged the Linfield Wildcats 2-0 Sunday afternoon at Maxwell Field.
 
1st Half
The Lutes, guided by a potent attack that consists of the NWC's top-two goal scorers, were held quiet by the Wildcats' defense in the opening period. Outshooting opponents 202-65 this season, PLU managed four shots with just one attempt finding the frame in the opening half.
 
Natalie Amara was the only Wildcat to get a shot off in the opening period for the hosts, seeing her 30-yard effort go wayward in the 23rd minute.
 
Linfield goalkeeper Madi Reimer was called on for the only save of the half.
 
2nd Half
Knocking on the door for the opening 10 minutes when play resumed, PLU found its scoring rhythm in the 55th minute when Hailey Smoot was on the receiving end of a Liz Griffith free kick. Smoot made her way into the Wildcats' box and redirected her effort into the side netting.
 
Earning a corner kick in the 74th minute, Amara knocked in a set piece that was cleared by the Lutes' defense. PLU's Kari Mills picked up the loose ball in her own half and played it to Amber Richards, who broke out from the defense and found herself with a breakaway opportunity against Reimer.
 
Richards calmly rounded an oncoming Reimer and slotted in her first goal of the season, giving the Lutes a 2-0 lead.
 
The only other shot Linfield attempted in the match came off the foot of Carole Thomas, whose effort went wide late in the match.
 
Linfield Ledger
Reimer, making her third career start, ended the day with four saves. Amara and Thomas accounted for the Wildcats' only recorded shot attempts. PLU outshot Linfield 13-2, including a 6-0 on-goal differential.
 
Top Lutes
Kaylie Rozell led her side with five shots. Griffith recorded the lone assist of the match while PLU netminder Natalie Robinson was not called into action to make a save. Holding Linfield scoreless, the Lutes recorded their 12th shutout of the season and end the week fourth in the United Soccer Coaches Division III West Region polls.
 
What It Means
Linfield remains in sixth place in the NWC standings at 4-5-1 (6-7-1 overall). The Lutes maintain their first-place position at 9-1 and 12-2 overall.
 
Ahead
With their five-match homestand coming to an end, the Wildcats travel to Salem to take on the Willamette Bearcats Saturday at noon.