McMINNVILLE, Ore. – Falling by a 1-0 score line for the second game in a row, the Linfield Wildcats were held scoreless by the Willamette Bearcats Saturday afternoon at the Linfield Soccer Field.
 
What It Means
Linfield's second-straight defeat drops the Wildcats to seventh  place in the NWC standings with a 1-2 conference record. The 'Cats dip under .500 for the first time this season at 3-4. Willamette, riding a two-game win streak, heads into its fourth conference game of the season at 5-1-1 (2-1 NWC).
 
1st Half
Linfield's Sydney Kuehn was handed the Wildcats' best opportunity through the opening 26 minutes when she latched onto a header at the top of the six-yard box, only to see her effort go wide.
 
Against the run of play, the Bearcats opened the scoring three minutes later. Shanna Keil ran onto a loose ball in the Wildcats' box and smashed her attempt past Linfield's near post, giving her side a hard-fought 1-0 advantage.
 
A few inches separated the Wildcats from their first score of the weekend. About one minute before intermission, Linfield's Natalie Amara whipped in a corner kick that found the head of midfielder Amidee Colleknon. Colleknon directed the cross toward goal, only to see it blocked by a trio of Bearcat defenders and cleared off the one-yard line.
 
2nd Half
The Wildcats were given another golden opportunity in the 57th minute when Jamie Mars was dragged down inside the box during to earn a penalty kick. With pressure to find the equalizer, Kuehn stepped up to take the spot kick, only to see her attempt fly wide right.
 
Linfield netminder Sarah Bailey turned away a couple of crucial Bearcat attempts with 15 minutes left to keep her side within striking distance. In the 74th minute, Willamette captain Emmy Manset wiggled her way past the Wildcat defense and struck a low shot in the direction of Bailey's far post. Setting herself low to the ground, Bailey managed to redirect the shot outside the frame.
 
Just a minute later, Manset charged down the right side of Linfield's defense and launched another 12-yard shot, this time eyeing Bailey's near post. Bailey was able to get two hands on the attempt and force a corner kick.
 
Leading Wildcats
Kuehn led the Wildcats with four shots, firing three on frame. Michayla Sponsel managed two shots off free kick attempts. Bailey's five save-effort came off of 10 Bearcat shots.
 
Top Bearcats
Willamette's Kristen Barclay managed six saves on 10 Wildcat shots. Manset paced her side with four shots.
 
Coming Up
The Wildcats look to rebound Sunday afternoon against Lewis & Clark in a NWC counter starting at noon. Linfield swept the Pios in both meetings last season, winning by matching one-goal margins.