MCMINNVILLE, Ore. – A first half goal from outside the 18-yard box by Anna Peckham helped the Linfield Wildcats over the Willamette Bearcats on a rainy Saturday afternoon.
 
The Wildcats have won their last two and are 6-3-1 in conference play while the Bearcats fall to 6-2-1.
 
Willamette got the first shot on the goal of the game, but it was easily saved by Madi Reimer, who saved all six shots she faced and got her fourth shutout of the season.
 
The Wildcats had five early shots in the first half, but none ended up in the back of the net.
 
A shot from Peckham from an awkward angle ended up on goal and it was just over the reach of the Bearcats' goalkeeper and went into the net.
 
It was the first goal of the season for the senior defender and also the first career goal for the Seattle, Washington, native.
 
The Wildcats were wearing special pink jerseys to raise awareness for breast cancer and the defense was able to pitch the fifth shutout of the season.
 
Linfield outshot Willamette 14-7 and had more corner kicks 3-2. Linfield is 6-1-1 this season when having more shots than the opponent.
 
Willamette got close to scoring in the second half, but Reimer was there for the save each time.
 
For the Wildcats, they split the season series over the Bearcats, with each team winning on their home pitch. It was the first win over the Bearcats since October 2017 for the Wildcats.
 
Willamette now leads the all-time head to head 36-14-7, the win on Saturday snapped a four-game winless streak for Linfield.
 
UP NEXT
The Linfield Wildcats will head on a four-game road trip starting with the Puget Sound Loggers and the Lewis & Clark Pioneers next weekend.