MCMINNVILLE, Ore. – Facing the Northwest Champion, Pacific Lutheran Lutes, the Linfield Wildcats came back to cause the upset, winning 2-1 on goals by Taylor Cole and Michayla Sponsel.
 
On Senior Day, the Wildcats honored 10 seniors with a pregame ceremony. This was the first time that the senior class has beaten the Lutes.
 
Pacific Lutheran was able to get the first goal in the seventh minute. The Lutes came into the game, allowing just four goals in conference play, they will be representing the NWC in the NCAA Tournament that starts next week.
 
Alyssa Bakkensen made the start in goal for the Wildcats and she saved four saves to get her second win of the season.
 
The Wildcats were able to tie the game when a long pass by Sydney Kuehn set up a perfect opportunity for Cole, who kicked it in from outside the box for her second goal of the season.
 
Both teams were tied at one at the halfway mark, but the Wildcats were the more aggressive team through the first 45 minutes.
 
Linfield took the lead in the second half when a cross by Kristen Burke was headed in by Sponsel, for her third of the season.
 
The Lutes had a few scoring chances but either Bakkensen was there for the save, or the Wildcats defense was able to get the ball out of danger.
 
Linfield moves to 8-6-1 in conference play while Pacific Lutheran losses its first game in conference play to conclude the regular season at 14-1-1.
 
Linfield head coach Steve Simmons now has 199 career wins with one more game left in the season.
 
UP NEXT
Linfield concludes the season at George Fox on Sunday at 12 p.m. as Coach Simmons looks for his 200^th coaching win.