McMINNVILLE, Ore. – Some days, you just need to tip your cap to the other team. Today was one of those days as Linfield lacrosse fell 20-4 to Willamette on a wet and blustery Sunday at the Linfield Lacrosse and Soccer Complex.
Willamette jumped out to a 12-2 lead to start the running clock just before halftime.
Savannah Irwin scored for Linfield in the closing seconds of the second quarter to bring the Wildcats back within nine points, but the goal was called off after a stick check. The third-place Bearcats scored 15 straight goals between the 12:29 mark in the second quarter and the 9:33 mark in the fourth. They shut out the Wildcats in the third period.
The Wildcats finished with 21 shots and 18 shots on goal. Four players led the team with four shots.
Leah Stednick scored two goals, both coming in the fourth quarter. Her second goal of the afternoon came with 1:11 left on the clock off an assist by
Erynn McCurdy.
Joelle Tran notched the first goal for Linfield in the first quarter, assisted by
Maizri Chandler. Chandler then scored unassisted early in the second quarter.
Gabby Crist was held scoreless for the second time this season and the first time since Feb. 26 at Whitworth. Crist secured eight draw controls while
Maranda Tucker and
Grayce Miller caused three turnovers apiece.
Tati Klenk put the Willamette attack on her back with eight goals, seven of which were unassisted. Klenk's 57 goals on the year rank second in the Northwest Conference and are a program single-season record and counting. She surpassed the previous record of 48 in a seven-goal performance against Pacific on Saturday. Catie Kawamura fired in four goals while Lily Bachiochi and Claire Kisielnicki both had three. Bachiochi assisted on four Bearcat goals and leads the NWC with 38.
Tenley Hodge started in goal for the Wildcats before being replaced by
Caity Babcock after the break. Both goalkeepers made three saves. Shelby Sawyer made 14 saves to earn the win for the Bearcats.
NEXT
With one week left in the regular season, Linfield will host Pacific at 5 p.m. Wednesday as the program celebrates the careers of two seniors in Tucker and
Elena Kroll. The regular season will end Saturday at Puget Sound.
