SALEM, Ore. - A late second-half goal was the difference on Sunday as Linfield dropped a 1-0 decision to Willamette University in a tightly contested Northwest Conference matchup at Sparks Field.
Linfield came out strong in the opening minutes, quickly earning a corner kick in the fourth minute. Midfielder
Sidra Griffin nearly put the Wildcats on the board, firing a shot that was saved by Willamette goalkeeper Sam Borngasser. The Wildcats continued to keep up the pressure, earning a total of seven corner kicks throughout the match. However, Borngasser was too much for the Linfield attack, stopping all seven shots that Linfield put on target.
While Linfield controlled the pace for much of the first half, Willamette's counterattacks kept the Wildcats' defense busy. Senior goalkeeper
Alexa Fritz was a reliable presence in goal for Linfield, making four saves on the afternoon, including two key stops in the second half.
However, the tie was broken in the 72nd minute when Willamette's Nina Krassner-Cybulski scored the game-winning goal after receiving a well-placed assist from Jaime Haysman Boaler.
Despite the setback, Linfield responded with urgency, pushing forward in search of the equalizer.
Julia Alvarez and
Jocelyn Jacobs made an immediate impact. Alvarez came close to scoring in the 68th minute, forcing Borngasser into another crucial save. Griffin and
Amalia Tufts also had opportunities late in the match, but the Wildcats were unable to find the equalizing goal.
Leading the Wildcats in shots were Griffin and
Lena Caballero Uhtoff each firing two shots with Griffin's both being on goal. Fritz, Griffin,
Mia Curtaz,
Rae Gerking and
Jenna Stanley all played the entirety of the match for Linfield.
Claire Warthen led the Bearcats in shots with four while Ella McComas finished with three and Krassner-Cybulski netted the lone goal of the match.
NEXT
Linfield looks forward to Saturday when it takes on Pacific Lutheran at the Linfield Soccer Complex at 2:45 p.m.
