KIRKLAND, Wash. – Conceding their third goal of the night just minutes before halftime, the Linfield Wildcats dropped their season opener 4-1 to the Northwest Eagles at the Northwest Soccer Field.
Story of the Game
In Linfield's season opener, the 'Cats enjoyed a 21-16 shot advantage. However, each team equally hit the target 10 times. Of those 10 shots on target, Northwest goalkeeper Kat Sanchez parried away nine Linfield attempts.
First Half
With a little less than five minutes played, Northwestern's Stephanie Wilson converted a penalty kick to give her side an early 1-0 advantage. Desperate for the equalizer, the Wildcats continued to pour on shots, forcing Sanchez to make three crucial saves over the next 15 minutes.
The Eagles found some respite at the 25:53 mark when Bailey Travis aimed home a free kick that found the upper right corner of the Wildcat net, giving NU a 2-0 lead.
Prior to half, Linfield's
Taylor Cole brought the Wildcats to within one with 7:34 remaining after netting from 25 yards out.
Nursing a slender one-goal advantage as halftime approached, Northwest forged a 3-1 lead when Nadine Huff buried a tap-in five minutes remaining the opening period.
Second Half
Huff added her second goal of the match minutes after the kickoff whistle, closing the door on any Wildcat comeback aspirations at 4-1.
Leading Wildcats
Linfield's
Emma Smith led the 'Cats with five shots. Goalkeeper
Sarah Bailey recorded six saves in 83 minutes of action.
Michayla Sponsel,
Emma Smith,
Desirae DesRosiers and
Madi Reimer all made their collegiate debuts.
Top Eagles
Bailey topped the Eagles with three shots in the match. Five of Sanchez's saves came in the second period. Whitney Weaver and Madison Morrow each tallied an assist on the night.
Next
The Wildcats turn around and face Evergreen State Saturday in Olympia, Wash. Kickoff is scheduled for noon.
