MCMINNVILLE, Ore. – In the final two exhibition contests, the Linfield Wildcats split the matches, beating the Warner Pacific Knights, 4-0 on Friday before falling to the Lewis & Clark Pioneers on Saturday at the Linfield Soccer & Lacrosse Complex.
Friday's match counts toward the Knights' overall season record, they are now 0-1-0. Saturday's match did not count for either team.
FRIDAY
Linfield had plenty of scoring opportunities on Friday, totaling 33 shots, including 19 on goal. Warner Pacific's Isabell Bauer and Makenna McClellan split time in net, combining for 15 saves.
The goal scorers for the Wildcats were
Michayla Sponsel,
Raylynn Bucher,
Emma Sammartino and
Kristen Burke.
Makenna Blix had two assists while
Natalie Amara and
Izzy Chauls had one each.
The Wildcats defenders held the Knights to just two shots, one went on goal which was saved by
Madi Reimer in the first half.
Alyssa Bakkensen played the second half, but did not face any shots.
Sponsel led the team with seven shots.
Laney Green had six shots and Burke had four. Kaitlin Hirasa and Sophie Painter had the two shots for the Knights.
SATURDAY
In a matchup of two teams that finished tied for fourth in the Northwest Conference in 2019, the Pioneers prevailed 3-1. The two teams will face each other twice during the conference portion of the schedule, in Portland on March 24 and in McMinnville on March 28.
Sofia Seirmarco, Olivia Cowley and Courtney Schmidt had the three goals for the Pioneers. Sponsel scored the lone goal for the Wildcats, on an assist by Blix.
Erin Isbister played the first 25 minutes in goal for the Wildcats and had a save.
Emma Mulligan played the final 65 minutes in goal and also had a save. The Pioneers' Sophia Young made four saves.
Sponsel once again led Linfield with five of 11 shots. Lewis & Clark had 10 shots but Cowley was the only one more than a shot, she had two.
Schmidt picked up a yellow card in the 72
nd minute.
UP NEXT
Northwest Conference play begins on Febraury 28 at home for the Wildcats against the George Fox Bruins. Kick-off is scheduled for noon, with coverage on the Linfield Sports Network beginning at 11:40 a.m.
Per NWC protocols, no spectators are allowed at any Linfield athletics events.
