SPOKANE, Wash. – Linfield lacrosse opened the 2023 season with a 20-8 loss to Whitman Saturday afternoon at the Whitworth Pine Bowl.
Due to snowy field conditions in Walla Walla, Whitworth offered to take over hosting duties for Whitman, which is also hosting both Northwest Conference Tournaments for basketball.
Linfield took an early 3-1 lead but allowed four straight goals by Whitman. The Blues also went on an 11-0 run, which included all eight goals scored in the second quarter.
The Wildcats finished with 17 shots, 13 landing on goal. They tallied 27 ground balls and matched the Blues' 13 caused turnovers.
All five of Linfield's goal scorers notched their first collegiate goals.
Maizri Chandler led the attack with three goals to go with an assist.
Gabby Crist was right behind with two goals on a team-high seven shots, five on goal. Fellow freshman
Savannah Irwin registered a goal while sophomores
Leah Stednick and
Mackenzie Kulick also got on the stat sheet.
Tenley Hodge and
Caity Babcock rotated in goal. Hodge started and played the first quarter while Babcock went the rest of the way, making seven saves.
NEXT
The 'Cats (0-1, 0-1 NWC) will be back at the Pine Bowl on Sunday to take on Whitworth. Start time is slated for 1:30 p.m.
