MCMINNVILLE, Ore. – Scoring six goals in two matches, the Linfield men's and women's soccer teams defeated the Bushnell Beacons (formerly known as Northwest Christian) in a doubleheader on Tuesday at the Linfield Soccer & Lacrosse Complex.
 
The Linfield women defeated the Bushnell women 4-0 and the Wildcats men prevailed 2-1 over the Beacons men.
 
This marked the second non-conference exhibition match for the Linfield women, while the final non-conference match for the men. Both matches count towards the Bushnell records, the women are now 0-2-0 and the men fell in their season opener to start 0-1-0.
 
WOMEN
The 'Cats were far and away the more aggressive team on Tuesday with 23 shots, including 10 on goal. The Beacons' Makenna Hadaller made six saves.
 
They scored their first goal of the match in the seventh minute, scored by Megan Sweeney. Natalie Amara was credited with the assist. Amara picked up another assist in the 18^th minute on a goal scored by Michayla Sponsel. Emma Sammartino also got an assist on the goal by Sponsel.   
 
Linfield's defensive unit limited Bushnell to just four shots. Madi Reimer and Alyssa Bakkensen played a half each in goal for Linfield, Reimer saved two shots and Bakkensen stopped one to preserve the shutout.
 
Laney Green got the Wildcats on the board in the second half in the 49^th minute. Sponsel and Emma Sammartino got the assist on the goal. In the 88^th minute, Makenna Blix played a perfect pass to Laura Hoover, who made the extra to pass Kristen Burke, who scored the fourth and final goal.
 
Three Linfield women had at least four shots in the match: sophomores Izzy Chauls, Laney Green and Emma Sammartino, who had five.  
 
Tuesday's match is the first of four matches for the Wildcats this week. All 18 players that dressed for the 'Cats, ended up appearing in the match.
 
MEN
Like the women, the Linfield men were also aggressive in getting the ball on goal. They had 15 shots in the match, but 13 of them came in the second half. Connor Heintz was the team leader with five shots, all coming in the second half and had a goal.
 
The first half was a tight affair with the Beacons having five shots. They had just one shot on goal, that came in the 88^th minute on a goal by Esgar Avila. Kyle Aure had the assist on the goal.
 
Linfield took the lead in the 50^th minute, thanks to a goal from freshman Seamus Miller. Cesar Cruz-Espindola delivered the assist.
 
Heintz doubled the Wildcats' lead in the 75^th minute with a goal on an assist from Shoma Okita.
 
Julian Inches and Henry Boudreaux split time in goal for Linfield, neither had a save. Julian Hernandez got the start in net for Bushnell, he made five saves, but losses his first decision of the 2021 spring season.
 
Wildcats dressed 22 student-athletes, the starting 11 played the first half, the other 11 played the second.
 
UP NEXT
The Linfield women are right back on the pitch on Wednesday afternoon, hosting the Pacific Boxers in an exhibition match. The men take a brief hiatus before starting the Northwest Conference regular season on Febraury 28 at home against George Fox.