TACOMA, Wash. – Genna Hughes propelled Linfield back into the win column as she scored five goals in the first half to help the Wildcats defeat the Puget Sound Loggers 13-7 in Northwest Conference action held at Peyton Field on Saturday.
 
First half
The Wildcats shrugged off an early 2-1 deficit to take the lead as Hughes sparked the comeback and helped Linfield dominate the remainder of the match.
 
Hughes started the scoring 32 seconds into the match as she was able to score off of a free position shot. The Loggers scored the next two goals as Izzy Amaya scored at 26:20 followed by Hannah Nichols at 23:47 off of another free position attempt. Neither team could gain control of the match, causing interim head coach Brittany Hartmann to call for a time out.
 
"We took a deep breath and let go all of the things we couldn't control," said Hartmann. "The possession clock kept having reset issues and it killed our momentum. We hit the reset button at the timeout and never looked back."
 
Linfield scored 46 seconds later to tie the match and then took over the contest by scoring the next six goals on the way to an 8-2 halftime lead.
 
The Wildcats outshot the Loggers 20-5 in the opeing half, including a 15-2 edge in on-goal attempts. Puget Sound committed 11 turnovers in the half to Linfield's six.
 
Second half
Both teams scored five goals after intermission. The Loggers could never get closer than five goals as the 'Cats held firm the rest of the way.
 
'Cat stats
Hughes led all scorers with seven goals while adding one assist. Maya Petersen notched four goals and Gabriella Moe tallied two goals and two assists. Nathaly Sanchez set a single-match record with three assists. Alex Jensen assisted on two markers and Molly Herrrera set up one tally.
 
Wildcats starter Kylee Duey made three saves before turning the game over to Epi Roldan-Rayo to begin the second half. Roldan-Rayo faced 12 shots, making three saves and allowing five goals.
 
Loggers ledger
Ali Walker lead the Loggers with three goals and two assists in the loss.
 
Ally Benko played all 60 minutes in net. She fadced 36 shots, making 12 saves while allowing 13 goals.
 
Summing it up
Hartmann said she was proud of the way her team played. "We needed that team win today."
 
With a 4-2 NWC record, the Wildcats remain in third place in league standings. The Loggers fall to 1-4 in conference action.
 
Next
Linfield hosts Pacific on Sunday. The match begins a 1 p.m. on the turf at Maxwell Field.