SALEM, ORE. – Northwest Conference play began for the Linfield Wildcats and Willamette Bearcats Wednesday evening. The Bearcats got on the board first, but the Wildcats fought back and took the lead just before the second half, however Willamette would tie the match up and force overtime.
 
Willamette got off to a hot start in the match as Shanna Keil put the Bearcats on the board in the ninth minute as she took the ball at the top of the box from Karmen Chavez-Sam and buried the ball into the back of the net.
 
Linfield would answer in the 38^th minute as Lexi Kerr set up Jamie Mars up for a shot 18 yards out and she was able to send it into the upper right of the net. In the 44^th minute Kerr helped the 'Cats take the lead as she took a penalty kick and made it 2-1 heading into half time.
 
The Wildcats and Bearcats went back and forth in the second half until the 80^th minute when Shanna Keil picked up her second goal of the match as she took the ball from 18 yards out to the top middle of the net making the score 2-2.
 
Linfield and Willamette played two overtime- periods but neither team was able to score resulting in a tie.
 
The 'Cats totaled 15 shots while the Bearcats totaled 24 in the match. Madi Reimer got plenty of action in tonight match and was able to make five saves for the Wildcats.
 
Next
Linfield will travel to Newberg, Ore. and take on George Fox at noon on Sunday, September, 16^th.