McMINNVILLE, Ore. – Despite a strong offensive start to the match and goalkeeper
Tenley Hodge setting a new career-high with 18 saves, the Linfield Wildcats came up short in a 15-13 Northwest Conference loss to the visiting Whitworth Pirates on Sunday afternoon at the Linfield Lacrosse Complex.
Maizri Chandler led the way for Linfield, pouring in a team-high four goals on four shots, including two unassisted scores in the second half to keep the Wildcats within striking distance.
Savannah Irwin added two goals and a pair of assists, while
Gabby Crist and
Mackenzie Kulick also contributed two goals apiece in the high-scoring affair.
The Wildcats surged out of the gate with five goals in the first quarter, including tallies from Chandler, Irwin,
Madison De La Trinidad and Kulick. Linfield struggled to keep the momentum rolling as it only scored once in the second quarter.
Whitworth however, responded with five goals of their own to close the opening quarter and tie the game at 5. That momentum carried into the second quarter, where the Pirates scored five more times—three of them unanswered—to build a 10-6 halftime advantage. Kenzie Hemman and Campbell Vincent both played a large part in the offensive surge during the second frame with Hemman netting two goals and Vincent applying pressure throughout the contest.
Linfield found its footing again in the third, with
Evelyn Cross netting a free-position goal, followed by Crist scoring off a DeLaTrinidad assist and Chandler firing in her third goal of the day. Chandler's unassisted score with 30 seconds left in the third cut Whitworth's lead to just two, 11-9.
Whitworth's Kenison Turner opened the fourth with a goal, but Linfield clawed back again with scores from Chandler, Crist and
Maya Wright. Irwin added a final goal with 25 seconds left, but the deficit proved too much to overcome.
Hodge was a steady presence in the cage for the Wildcats, racking up 18 saves on 33 shots on goal. Linfield won the turnover battle 20-18 and collected 19 ground balls, led by Crist with five.
Sierra Witte and Vincent each finished with four points for Whitworth, which benefited from a 19-9 edge in draw controls and a 36-27 advantage in total shots.
NEXT
Linfield enters the do-or-die portion of its schedule with conference tournament fast approaching. The Wildcats travel to Portland to take on Lewis & Clark in another NWC matchup before hosting George Fox on Apr. 26 on Senior Day.