SALEM, Ore. --- Linfield women's soccer continued its unbeaten start to the 2025 season with a commanding 4–1 victory over Willamette on Sunday afternoon at Sparks Field.
The Wildcat offense fired three-straight shots in the first 11-minutes of the game, but after earning a corner, sophomore defender
Reese Jones pounced on a rebound inside the box for a tap-in from five yards out. It was her second goal of the year and gave Linfield a 1–0 lead.
Goalkeeper
Alexa Fritz kept the advantage intact heading into halftime. The senior recorded a diving save in the 44th minute to deny a low shot from Willamette.
Willamette took the possession following halftime, earning a pair of corner kicks that led to the game-tying score. Just three minutes later,
Mia Curtaz's corner found defender
Jenna Stanley, who buried the rebound from close range for her second goal of the season. Less than a minute later, junior forward
Amalia Tufts doubled the advantage when she finished a cross from
Marley Ells into an open net; giving Linfield a 3-1 advantage.
The Wildcats didn't stop there, in 59th minute, Curtaz again orchestrated the attack, sending in a cross that Jones finished at the far post for her second goal of the match. In a span of under five minutes, Linfield had turned a deadlock into a commanding 4–1 lead.
The back line of Stanley, Jones, Ells, and
Parker Vale limited Willamette's chances, while Fritz added three second-half saves to preserve the scoreline. Linfield's midfield rotation, featuring Curtaz,
Ruby Lacktrup, and
Melania Valdez, kept the Wildcats steady in possession.
Linfield held a 12–11 advantage in total shots and earned eight corner kicks compared to Willamette's three. Jones fired four and Tufts took three of the 'Cats 12 total shots.
The 'Cats enjoy a week off next weekend, before returning to action at home on September 27
th and 28
th against Whitman and Whitworth.
To follow Linfield Wildcats coverage all season long, visit golinfieldwildcats.com. Please consider following Linfield Athletics on Facebook, and @LinfieldSports on Instagram and X.com.
