McMINNVILLE, ORE. – After scoring the first seven goals of the game, the Linfield Wildcats went on to rout the Willamette Bearcats 18-3 at Maxwell Field on Easter Sunday. The win keeps the 'Cats in second place in the Northwest Conference at 9-5 overall and 8-2 in conference play. The loss drops the Bearcats to 5-10 overall and 3-7 in the NWC. The Wildcats have now won seven of their last eight games.
 
FIRST HALF
Linfield its first two goals in less than 30 seconds. Nathaly Sanchez found the back of the net to start the game after a crafty pass from Bethany Shade. Shade was next in line to score just seconds later after Gabriella Moe found her in stride. Josie Duey, Maia Rezoski, Molly Herrera and Jenna Hessel all collected goals on their way to a 7-0 lead after the first nine minutes. Willamette got on the board with 18 minutes left in the half. Miranda Piros scored on an unassisted attempt in front of the net. Linfield answered with eight more goals in the half. Hessell, Hererra and Shade closed the half with three goals each. Herrera scored the final goal of the half just before the buzzer to make it 15-1 at the halftime break.

SECOND HALF
The second half was relatively quiet after a scoring barrage in the first 30 minutes. Piros scored two more goals and finished the day with every Bearcat goal. Rezoski netted the final goal for the 'Cats and finished with three goals in the game.
Kylee Duey earned three saves and the win after playing the first half in goal. Epi Roldan-Rayo saved two shot attempts in the second half.
Shade led all goal-scorers with four goals.

NEXT
Linfield takes on Whitman Monday night in McMinnville. The battle for second place in the NWC is set to begin at 5 p.m. from Maxwell Field.