McMINNVILLE, Ore. --- A big second half by the Lewis & Clark River Otters (9-4, 4-0 NWC) provided the separation needed for the Otters to take down the Linfield Wildcats (5-9, 3-3 NWC), 16-7.
 
Both squads traded shot attempts to begin the game but neither found the back of the net until Lewis & Clark got on the board with 9:14 left in the first quarter to take the lead. Evelyn Cross found Gabby Crist nearly two minutes later, slotting home her 38^th goal of the season to tie it back up.
 
Linfield grabbed the lead late in the opening quarter, as Maizri Chandler scored with 3:58 left to go up 2-1. The Wildcats lead lasted less than a minute, as the River Otters then tied it up before scoring at the end of the period to lead 3-2.
 
Lewis & Clark opened the second with a pair of goals, extending their lead to three. Savannah Irwin scored on a free position attempt with 11 minutes left in the half to make it 5-3. Irwin then found Crist for her second goal of the game to answer a sixth Otters goal. 
 
Apple Riso and Crist then went back-to-back to cut the deficit to just one at 7-6 entering halftime. The 'Cats defense remained strong to end the half, stopping two late shots by the Otters.
 
The second half was controlled by Lewis & Clark, entering the game with a conference-leading 3-0 record in the NWC. The River Otters scored three unanswered while also holding the 'Cats to just one shot for most of the period. In the closing seconds of the quarter, Irwin earned another assist on her pass to Riso, making it 10-7 through three quarters.
 
Linfield's offense was unable to get quality looks in the final quarter to make a comeback push. Meanwhile, Lewis & Clark paired tough defense with success in the offensive zone, scoring six goals to pull away, 16-7; the two final goals came inside the final 90 seconds of the match.
 
Goalkeeper Tenley Hodge tied her season-high with 15 saves on a total of 38 shots faced. Linfield took 15 shots, with five each from Irwin and Crist, all of which were on-target. Crist scored three of the team's seven goals, while Riso had two of her own and picked up a team-high four ground balls. Crist and Madison DeLaTrinidad each caused a pair of turnovers to lead the 'Cats defensively.
 
UP NEXT
The Wildcats enjoy the weekend off, competing next Saturday in Newberg against the George Fox Bruins before closing out the season at home on Sunday against Willamette for Senior Day.
 
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