SALEM, Ore. –
Gabby Crist netted a hat trick and
Savannah Irwin contributed four points, but Linfield couldn't overcome a fast start from Willamette, falling 21-9 in Saturday's regular-season finale at Sparks Field.
The Bearcats got to work early, scoring twice in the first three minutes before Crist netted an unassisted goal to get Linfield on the board. Willamette raced out to a 9-1 lead midway through the second quarter and never looked back. Claire Kisielnicki led all scorers with seven goals and two assists for the Bearcats, while Lily Bachiochi added four goals and five assists in a dominant showing.
Linfield's attack picked up in the second quarter with
Maya Wright scoring twice and
Mackenzie Kulick finding the back of the net herself to trim the deficit and help the Wildcats claw back to within six at 11-5. Irwin also found the back of the net late in the half, but Willamette closed the period with a pair of goals to carry a 13-5 advantage into halftime.
Crist scored her second goal early in the third quarter on a woman-up opportunity, assisted by
Evelyn Cross, but Willamette answered with five straight goals to extend its lead.
Tenley Hodge and
Caity Babcock combined for 11 saves in goal for Linfield, with Babcock posting five saves during her second-half stint.
Despite the deficit, Linfield kept battling. Crist completed her hat trick in the fourth quarter, and Irwin capped her two-goal, two-assist performance with a free-position score in the closing minute.
The Wildcats outshot the Bearcats 8-3 in the final frame, but Willamette's early cushion proved too much to overcome. Linfield totaled 17 shots on goal and won 12 draw controls, led by Crist's team-high eight draws. Wright contributed three ground balls and two draw controls, while
Grayce Miller forced two turnovers in the match.
NEXT
The Wildcats now turn their attention to the postseason picture, awaiting confirmation of their place in the upcoming NWC tournament.
