McMINNVILLE, Ore. – Linfield put 16 of its 21 shots on goal, but the Wildcats fell 18-5 to Whitman in their return to Northwest Conference play Saturday at the Linfield Lacrosse and Soccer Complex.
Whitman outscored Linfield 6-0 in the first quarter and notched five more goals before halftime. The Blues opened the game on a 7-0 run before
Savannah Irwin put the Wildcats on the board just over three minutes into the second quarter.
Gabby Crist and
Leah Stednick both found the back of the net twice. Crist fired off 10 shots, seven on goal.
Defensively, the 'Cats tallied 10 ground balls and caused 18 turnovers.
Elena Kroll registered three ground balls while
Kelsey Reinemer had two.
Grayce Miller led the team with five caused turnovers.
The Blues outshot the 'Cats 31-21 and had 21 shots on goal and 19 draw controls. Madeleine Sherry racked up a game-high five goals while Erin Magnuson, Gracie Maulik and Lindsey Pasena-Littlesky all had three. Magnuson and Maulik had three caused turnovers apiece.
Linfield had some good looks at the goal, but Whitman's Korin Wheaton made 11 saves to hush the Wildcat attack.
Tenley Hodge and
Caity Babcock rotated in goal for the 'Cats. Hodge grabbed two saves in her fourth start of the season.
NEXT
Linfield (2-7, 2-5 NWC) is back at home on Sunday, hosting Whitworth at 1 p.m. The first meeting between the two teams ended in an 11-6 Pirate win on Feb. 26.
