MCMINNVILLE, Ore. --- Linfield women's soccer (8-4-5, 6-4-3 NWC) fell late to the Pacific Lutheran Lutes (10-2-5, 10-0-3 NWC) due to a late goal, keeping the Lutes atop the Northwest Conference standings.
 
The Wildcats started quickly as the rain poured on the Linfield Soccer/Lacrosse field, creating several attacking sequences in the opening 20 minutes. Midfielders Lize Rendon and Kamahie Samudio combined well to generate Linfield's best early look, with Rendon forcing the Pacific Lutheran goalkeeper into a diving save in the 24th minute.

Linfield continued to apply pressure, earning five first-half corner kicks. Defenders Reese Jones, Sofia Pietrok, and Jenna Stanley anchored a sturdy back line that limited PLU's shot opportunities. Goalkeeper Alexa Fritz was alert in net, making a key stop in the 11th minute and organizing her defense against multiple set pieces.
 
Both teams traded possession after halftime, with Linfield maintaining composure and shape against the conference-leading Lutes. Fritz turned aside another attack in the 63rd minute, but Pacific Lutheran finally broke through in the 79th on a counter attack, putting the visitors up 1-0.

Linfield fought back in the closing minutes, pushing forward through Amalia Tufts and Sydney Garner. The Wildcats earned two second-half corners and a late shot attempt but couldn't find the equalizer before time expired.
 
Linfield held a 7-6 advantage in corner kicks and finished with two total shots, one on target. Fritz made one save while playing all 90 minutes in goal. Rendon recorded Linfield's lone shot on goal, and the defense held Pacific Lutheran to just two shots on-frame in the match.

The 'Cats are back in action against the other school in Tacoma tomorrow morning at 11 a.m., hosting the Puget Sound Loggers.
 
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