MCMINNVILLE, Ore. – Erasing an early 3-0 deficit, the Linfield Wildcats defeated the Whitman Blues, 13-11 for their second win in as many days behind five-points each from Abby Ross and Josie Duey on Sunday afternoon at Maxwell Field.
 
Linfield is now 2-1 overall and 2-0 in Northwest Conference play, while Whitman is 0-3 to start the season and 0-2 in NWC matches.
 
The Blues fired off early on Sunday with the first goal coming less than a minute into the match and had a 3-0 lead. Linfield used a 5-0 run with two goals each Duey and Jenna Hessel as well as a goal from Maia Rezoski to take the lead.
 
Whitman scored two goals in the final two minutes of the half to tie the match at five at halftime. The Wildcats scored the first five goals of the second half with a goal each from Duey, Courtney McGrath, Ross, Herrera and Rezoski to lead 10-5.
 
The Blues pulled to within three with three-straight goals but a 3-0 run by the Wildcats secured the win for the 'Cats.
 
Duey and Ross lead the offense with five points each for Linfield, Katie Hinnen and Hannah Miller each had four points for Whitman.
 
Rezoski had three goals and an assist, Hessel had two goals, Herrera had a goal and an assist, while Jensen had three assists. Duey scored four goals and an assists and Ross had two goals and three assists.
 
Jensen caused five turnovers on the defensive side while Kylee Duey stopped five shots and took the win playing the first half. Epi Roldan-Rayo came in at halftime and stopped three shots in the cage in the second half. Whitman's Anna Cadigan had eight saves.
 
Linfield 19 for 30 in its clear opportunities while Whitman were 11 for 19. The Blues dominated the draw controls, 18-8 and were 4 for 6 in free-position shot attempts. The Wildcats claimed 26 groundballs compared to 24 for the Blues.
 
Whitman took the first eight meetings between the two Northwest Conference rivals, but Linfield has won the last three meetings.
 
UP NEXT
Linfield welcomes Pacific and Willamette and next weekend, taking on the Boxers at 1 p.m. on Saturday and the Bearcats on Sunday at 1 p.m.