TACOMA, Wash. – Lize Rendon scored late in the match but Linfield women's soccer's (9-7-2, 7-6-1 NWC) comeback effort fell short as the Wildcats suffered a 2-1 loss to No. 23 Puget Sound (17-0-1, 14-0-0 NWC).
The Loggers established early offensive pressure, generating two shots and two corner kicks in the opening 18 minutes. Linfield's defense held firm through the early opportunities before unbeaten Puget Sound broke through in the 27th minute, taking a 1-0 advantage.
Linfield responded just over a minute later when Fia Swanson put the Wildcats' first shot on goal in the 28th minute. Swanson's attempt was turned away by the Puget Sound goalkeeper, keeping the Wildcats off the scoreboard.
The Loggers continued to press the Wildcat defense late in the opening half, generating three additional shots over the final nine minutes. Linfield goalkeeper Tati Zahajko delivered a save in the 44th minute, helping the Wildcats enter halftime trailing by just one goal.
Puget Sound controlled the possession to start the final 45 minutes, generating several scoring opportunities throughout the opening 20 minutes of the second half. Linfield looked to answer in the 66th minute when Sydney Garner sent a shot over the crossbar, but the Wildcats were unable to beat the Loggers and their NWC-leading goalkeepers.
The Loggers extended their advantage in the 73rd minute, finding the back of the net to take a 2-0 lead. However, Linfield responded just over five minutes later when Lize Rendon scored off an assist from Maddy France in the 78th minute, cutting the deficit to just one score.
The Wildcats continued searching for an equalizer over the final 12 minutes, earning a corner kick in the 87th minute. Despite the late offensive push, Linfield was unable to find an equalizer.
The two squads traded cautions in the closing minutes, the last being awarded to France just before the final whistle.
Linfield finished with three shots, including two on goal, while Puget Sound recorded 15 attempts. Rendon, Swanson and Garner each contributed one shot for the Wildcats, with Rendon and Swanson accounting for Linfield's two shots on target. France recorded the assist on Rendon's seventh goal of the season.
Tati Zahajko made a pair of saves in the match, serving all 90 minutes in goal for the 'Cats.Â
The Wildcats compete next Friday at Willamette before hosting Pacific for Senior Day on Sunday at 1:45 p.m. at the Linfield Soccer Complex.
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