McMINNVILLE, Ore. – Lize Rendon's eighth goal of the season led a group of seven senior Wildcats who helped Linfield women's soccer (11-7-2, 9-6-1 NWC) end the season with a 1-0 win over Pacific (6-12-1, 4-11-1 NWC).
The win sets new best records for head coach Steve Simmons in overall and NWC wins, while the 'Cats conclude the season in fourth in the Northwest Conference table.
The Wildcats controlled much of the offensive action, outshooting the Boxers 14-6 and holding an 8-2 advantage in shots on goal. Linfield's defense limited Pacific to just two shots in the second half.
Prior to the match, Linfield honored seven senior Wildcats: Mia Arellano, McKenzie Heckman, Sofia Pietrok, Lize Rendon, Faith Richards, Sarah Robbins, and Amalia Tufts.
McKenzie Heckman struck the crossbar just over two minutes into the match, getting the match started with strong offensive pressure. Pacific responded with several scoring opportunities, but Richards made her first save in the ninth minute to keep the match scoreless.
The Wildcats broke through in the 15th minute when Rendon found the back of the net off an assist from Marley Ells. The goal marked Rendon's eighth of the season and gave Linfield a 1-0 advantage it would maintain for the remainder of the afternoon.
Linfield continued applying offensive pressure following the goal, with Amalia Tufts forcing a save in the 18th minute. Rendon added another shot on target less than a minute later, but Pacific's goalkeeper turned away the attempt.
Sydney Garner recorded consecutive shots on goal in the 44th and 45th minutes, but both attempts were saved as Linfield carried its 1-0 advantage into halftime.
The Wildcats got to work following the break, with Lena Caballero Uhtoff forcing a save just over a minute into the second period. Pacific looked to respond with a corner kick in the 54th minute, but Linfield's defense prevented the Boxers from finding an equalizer.
Maddy France added another opportunity in the 64th minute, sending a shot high before Amalie Anderson placed an attempt on goal in the 71st minute. Tufts followed with two shots over the next three minutes, including an attempt in the 74th minute that was turned away.
Pacific generated one of its final scoring opportunities in the 83rd minute, but Richards made a crucial save to preserve Linfield's one-goal advantage.
The Wildcats continued searching for an insurance goal in the closing minutes. Rendon sent a shot wide in the 87th minute, while France added another attempt in the 89th. Linfield earned two corner kicks in the final four minutes before securing the shutout victory.
Rendon led the Wildcats with three shots, including two on goal, while Tufts matched her with three attempts and two shots on target. Garner contributed two shots on goal, while France and Anderson each recorded two attempts. Caballero Uhtoff added one shot on target, and Heckman finished with one attempt.
Richards played all 90 minutes in goal for Linfield, recording two saves to earn the shutout on her senior day. Mia Arellano, Marley Ells and Sofia Pietrok anchored the Wildcats' defensive effort, with all three playing the full match.
Linfield finished with 14 shots compared to Pacific's six, including an 8-2 advantage in shots on goal. The shutout is the team's 11th of the season, tying the program record for shutouts in a season with the squad from 2012.
With the victory, Linfield concluded its 2026 season with an 11-7-2 overall record and a 9-6-1 mark in Northwest Conference play. The 'Cats 11 overall wins and 9 NWC wins are the most in the Steve Simmons era of Linfield women's soccer, the program's most since 2014.
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