SPOKANE, Wash. – A second-half goal by Whitworth's Baylee Trejo broke the deadlock as the Pirates snuck past Linfield 1-0 in Northwest Conference action on Saturday afternoon at Whitworth Soccer Field.
Linfield goalkeeper
Alexa Fritz put on an impressive performance, recording six saves across 90 minutes played. The Wildcats' defense held Whitworth scoreless for most of the match, fending off 13 shots, including seven on target. Fritz made critical saves in the first half, turning away two close-range attempts from Whitworth's Yacine Bitibale and Taliya Miyama. Despite the defensive resilience, Linfield couldn't find the spark on offense to turn the tide.
The lone goal came in the 70th minute. Trejo capitalized on a deflected free kick, executing a quick turn and firing a right-footed shot into the back right corner of the net. The goal marked Trejo's fifth of the season, propelling Whitworth to a 9-4-2 overall record and a 7-3-2 mark in conference play.
Linfield, meanwhile, struggled to generate scoring opportunities, finishing with only four shots, two of which were on target. Forward
Jordan Stoner and defender
Reese Jones each registered a shot on goal in the second half, but both attempts were stopped by Whitworth goalkeeper Paige Broadrick, who recorded a clean sheet with two saves.
Kami Echiverri and
Riley Omonaka also recorded one shot in the match.
NEXT
The loss drops Linfield to 4-6-5 overall and 3-6-3 in the NWC. The Wildcats will look to bounce back Sunday afternoon against Whitman in Walla Walla at 2:45 p.m.
