McMINNVILLE, Ore. – Amalia Tufts scored her first goal of the season late in the opening half, while Tati Zahajko recorded a shutout in goal as Linfield women's soccer (6-5-1, 4-4 NWC) earned a 1-0 Northwest Conference victory over Willamette (5-5-1, 3-5-1 NWC) on Sunday afternoon at the Linfield Soccer Complex.
The Wildcats established an early offensive presence, earning two corner kicks in the opening two minutes and generating several scoring opportunities throughout the first half. Fia Swanson recorded Linfield's first shot in the third minute, while Melania Valdez added an attempt in the 22nd. Sofia Pietrok tested the Willamette goalkeeper in the 26th minute, but the match remained scoreless.
Linfield finally broke through in the 44th minute when Tufts found the back of the net off an assist from Maddy France, giving the Wildcats a 1-0 advantage heading into halftime. The goal marked Tufts' first of the season and proved to be the difference in the match.
The Wildcats continued applying pressure early in the second half, with France putting a shot on goal less than a minute after the restart. McKenzie Heckman followed with another attempt on target in the 54th minute, but Linfield was unable to extend its lead.
Willamette looked to find an equalizer late in the contest, after Linfield was reduced to 10 players following a red card issued to Amalie Anderson in the 77th minute. However, the Wildcats' defense held firm, with Zahajko making two second-half saves to preserve the one-goal advantage.
Linfield finished with nine shots, including four on goal, while Willamette was limited to four shots and two on target. Swanson led the Wildcats with two attempts, while Tufts, France, Heckman, Pietrok, Valdez, Sydney Garner and Sophia Leiber each recorded one. Linfield also held a commanding 7-1 advantage in corner kicks.
Zahajko played all 90 minutes in goal, making two saves to earn her third shutout of the season.
Women's soccer heads into the final eight matches of the Northwest Conference schedule in fourth in the table, set to host both Whitworth and Whitman next Friday and Saturday at the Linfield Soccer Complex.
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