SALEM, Ore. – Linfield outscored Willamette by four points in the second half, but it wasn't enough to complete a comeback against the Bearcats Sunday at Sparks Field.
The Bearcats piled on seven goals in the first quarter and added four more before halftime. They held the Wildcats to two points in the first half to take a nine-point lead into the break. Both teams notched three goals apiece in the third quarter. Linfield scored five of the game's last six goals, but the deficit was too large to overcome.
The Wildcats fired off 18 shots, 14 on goal. Seven of those shots came in the fourth quarter. Freshman
Gabby Crist continues to impress on the attack. Her five goals were tied for the game high with Willamette's Tati Klenk. Crist led the 'Cats with four draw controls.
Erynn McCurdy (2),
Leah Stednick (2) and
Mackenzie Kulick (1) also scored goals for Linfield. Seven of the 'Cats' goals were unassisted.
Grayce Miller caused a game-high four turnovers to go with as many ground balls. McCurdy matched Miller's ground balls.
Linfield went on an 8-3 run down the stretch, but a 12-2 start for the home team already proved to be the difference. Lily Bachiochi was a strong No. 2 for the Bearcats with four goals to go with two assists and four ground balls. Catie Kawamura led all players with eight draw controls. Maddie Garcia and Jade Kampen each picked up five ground balls.
Caity Babcock allowed eight goals but made nine saves in 45 minutes. The nine saves matched her season high from last week's meeting with Whitworth.
NEXT
Linfield (0-5, 0-4 NWC) faces the early turnaround next week. The 'Cats will head to Forest Grove to take on Pacific at 5 p.m. Wednesday. They will end the week at home to host Puget Sound on Saturday.
