McMINNVILLE, ORE. -- Linfield College outfought Willamette University in the wind and the rain to defeat the Bearcats, 3-0, on Sunday, Sept. 30 in McMinnville, Ore. The Wildcats scored the game's first goal on a penalty kick midway through the opening half, then added another goal shortly before halftime and the final goal in the 73rd minute. Linfield moved to 4-4-1 on the season, including 3-3 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette fell to 2-5-1, 1-41 in the NWC.
It was Linfield's first victory over Willamette since the Wildcats began keeping women's soccer records in 1995. Prior to Sunday's game, Willamette was 23-0-1 against Linfield.
The Wildcats recorded the game's first goal on a penalty kick by Martha Inouye against Willamette goalie Kelli Gano (Fr., Portland, OR/Cleveland HS) at 24:16. Sara Blake added another score for LC when she sent the ball low and into the left corner at 41:21 on an assist from Kelli Gillespie.
Emma Triplett registered the final goal of the night on an unassisted play at the 72:33 mark. Triplett set up the goal by eluding Lo Holahan (Jr., GK, Anacortes, WA/Anacortes HS), who played in goal for WU in the second half. After getting past Holahan, Triplett shot the ball into the left corner.
Linfield achieved a 13-6 edge in total shots and the Wildcats had nine shots on goal. All six of Willamette's shots were on target, forcing LC goalkeeper Kelsey Hasselblad to make six saves. WU forward Lauren Miller (Jr., Portland, OR/Northwestern State, La.), who scored both goals in the Bearcats' 2-1 win over Lewis & Clark College on Saturday (Sept. 29), was held without a shot by Linfield.
The Wildcats finished with a 7-2 lead in corner kicks, with all of WU's corners in the first half and all of Linfield's in the second half. Linfield committed 12 fouls, while Willamette was called for 11 fouls.
Willamette travels to Tacoma, Wash., for its next game on Saturday, Oct. 6 against Pacific Lutheran University. Game time is slated for 12 p.m. (PDT). The Bearcats will return home to take on Pacific University on Sunday, Oct. 7 at 12 p.m. (PDT) as part of WU's Parents and Family Weekend.
Linfield College 3, Willamette University 0 - Box Score
