McMINNVILLE, Ore. --- Linfield women's lacrosse (4-6, 2-0 NWC) pounced on the Pacific Lutheran Lutes (2-7, 0-1 NWC) early on, cruising to a dominant 18-4 victory behind Gabby Crist's six goals.
 
Pacific Lutheran scored after taking the game-opening draw control to go up 1-0, but Linfield's Gabby Crist answered just 12 seconds later to tie it up 1-1. The two offenses were firing early as PLU also led 2-1 before Crist found Maizri Chandler to tie the game back up at 2-2. 
 
From there, Linfield scored seven unanswered goals and three in three minutes to control the remainder of the game. Crist scored three more times in the quarter, Apple Riso twice and Maizri Chandler capping it off with her second of the game, Linfield led 8-2 after one.
 
Linfield's defense held the Lutes without a shot for nearly 20 minutes of game time, dominating the procession in the 'Cats offensive zone. Riso scored twice more early in the quarter and Maizri Chandler closed the quarter yet again, slotting home a free position goal to lead 11-2 at the half.
 
Heidi Schaefer and Evelyn Cross got on the board with goals of their own in the third to pile onto the large lead and force the running clock. Crist and Chandler also scored one each in the third, allowing the Lutes first goal since the first quarter to enter fourth up 15-3.
 
PLU began the final quarter with their fourth and final goal of the game, Savannah Irwin scored her two goals of the game, and Crist capped off her best performance of the season with her sixth score. Linfield cruised for their second win of the conference slate, 18-4.
 
Crist led the way with a season-high six goals on 12 shots, while also picking up a team-high three ground balls and causing six turnovers. Riso was close with four goals on just seven shots, and defender Grayce Miller forced three turnovers. Linfield caused 20 total turnovers and picked up 17 ground balls, besting the Lutes in each category. Goalkeeper Tenley Hodge faced just eight shots, making four saves over the 60 minutes in the cage.
 
The 'Cats host Puget Sound tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m. at the Linfield Lacrosse Complex, looking to remain atop the Northwest Conference standings.
 
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