McMINNVILLE, Ore. – The Linfield Wildcats earned their first win in Northwest Conference play thanks to a multi-goal performance by senior
Laney Green that sparked a 2-1 win over the Whitman Blues Sunday afternoon at the Linfield Soccer and Lacrosse Complex.
Green got the Wildcats on the board early, notching her first goal of the day in the seventh minute off assists by freshmen
Ruby Lacktrup and
Janae Lewis. Lewis has three assists on the year while Lacktrup registered her first.
The Blues answered in the 37
th minute following a corner kick by Lise Arrouye. The ball bounced around the box until Paige Nelson finally put it away for her second goal of the season.
The 'Cats stayed energized on the attack after halftime, scoring moments into the second period in the 52
nd minute.
Riley Omonaka connected with
Kathryn Pearson, who chipped a pass into the box. Green beat a Whitman defender and goalkeeper Hannah Hagler to the ball and tapped it in for her team-leading sixth goal of the season. Omonaka and Pearson were both credited with assists. Omonaka's three assists on the year are tied with Lewis for the team high.
Linfield outshot Whitman 12-7 with six shots on goal. The 'Cats also held a 5-4 advantage in corner kicks. Green, Lacktrup, Lewis,
Sidra Griffin and
Emily Hyde all fired off two shots for the 'Cats. Green notched her pair of goals in just 45 minutes played.
Bella Hanna played the full 90 minutes for the sixth time in her freshman campaign. She has logged at least 80 minutes in nine of her 10 appearances.
Alexa Fritz made her collegiate debut on Sunday, making four saves to earn her first win in goal as a Wildcat.
NEXT
The 'Cats (3-5-4, 1-4-3 NWC) end a five-match homestand next weekend, hosting Puget Sound at 5 p.m. on Friday before playing Pacific Lutheran at noon on Sunday. The Loggers top the standings with a 7-1 NWC record while the Lutes are right behind at 6-1-1.
