McMINNVILLE, Ore. – Coming out firing in an effort to start 2018 with three straight wins, Linfield jumped to 3-0 lead on Baldwin Wallace before the visiting Yellow Jackets fought back and eventually took control on the way to a 21-12 victory Friday night at Maxwell Field.
 
Wildcats Jenna Hessel, Maddie Cole and Genna Hughes all scored in the opening 2½ minutes as Linfield began the match like a house on fire. Over the next 14 minutes, the Yellow Jackets launched a 10-1 run on the way to 13-6 halftime advantage.
 
Hughes tallied off an assist from Maya Peterson to start the scoring in the second half but the Yellow Jackets responded once more, outscoring the 'Cats 8-6 the rest of the way to put the match on ice.
 
"We played a very good team tonight," said Wildcats interim coach Brittany Hartmann. "Our ladies played hard and never let up the entire game."
 
Stat check
Megan Patrick of Baldwin Wallace led all scorers with seven goals and one assist. Hughes was Linfield's top scorer with five goals and three assists. Hessel and Gabriella Moe both added two goals and one assist. Cole finished with two goals. Peterson and Nathaly Sanchez both netted one goal and an assist.  
 
Wildcats goalkeeper Kylee Duey faced 43 shots, making 11 saves. Her counterpart, Mallory Gurin, saw 19 shots and made four saves. 
 
Both teams finished with 11 clears. Linfield committed 20 turnovers to Baldwin Wallace's 11.
 
Where they stand
The loss dropped Linfield to 2-1 overall. Playing the second of three matches in the Pacific Northwest, Baldwin Wallace improved to 2-2.
 
Next
Linfield heads to Walla Walla, Washington, Sunday for a Northwest Conference contest with the Whitman Blues. Action gets underway at 1 p.m.
 
Afterward, the Wildcats return home for a nonconference matchup with St. Mary's College of Indiana Wednesday night. Start time is scheduled for 5 o'clock at Maxwell Field.