McMINNVILLE, Ore. –
Gabby Crist's goal with just over a minute remaining lifted Linfield to a season finale 14-13 victory over Puget Sound on Saturday afternoon at the Linfield Lacrosse Complex. Crist and
Mackenzie Kulick tied for the team high with four goals a piece.
Maya Wright and Crist each tallied an assist.
Savannah Irwin led the Wildcats in caused turnovers (4) and ground balls (6).
Tenley Hodge totaled 11 saves. Linfield edged Puget Sound (3-12, 2-9 NWC) in final shots 33-30.
Cat Schilli paced the Puget Sound offense with five goals while Maya Sheklow added three. Michaela Chen scooped up six ground balls while also causing three turnovers. Bailey Fuhrmann tied Chen with three caused turnovers. In goal, Phoebe Crowther totaled 15 saves.
The Loggers and Wildcats offense were off to strong starts in the first quarter. Puget Sound held a slight 5-4 lead after the first 15 minutes. The Loggers outscored the 'Cats 4-2 in the second quarter as the visitors carried a 9-6 lead into halftime. Crowther had 10 saves at the half.
The Wildcats scored four goals in the third quarter to draw even with the Loggers until a late Puget Sound goal pulled the visitors ahead 11-10 going into the final period.
Puget Sound scored the first goal of the final quarter before Linfielf ripped off the next three. Schilli's goal near the five-and-a-half-minute mark tied the contest at 13. Over four minutes later, Crist scored the game's final goal completing Linfield's late comeback.
Linfield ended its season at 6-9 overall and 4-8 in NWC play. The Wildcats finished Saturday in fifth place in the conference standings. The 'Cats have seen steady improvement from last season adding three more wins to last year's total and presumably return everyone on this year's roster heading into next season.
