By John Lind, Assistant Athletics Communications Director

McMINNEVILLE, ORE. Willamette University was unable to take Saturday's success against George Fox University and turn it into success against Northwest Conference rival Linfield College on Sunday, as the Wildcats held the Bearcats scoreless en route to a 3-0 victory on Sunday, Oct. 14. The Bearcats began the weekend with a 2-0 win over George Fox.

Linfield improved to 11-1-2, and 7-1-2 in the NWC, retaining a share of the conference lead. Willamette fell to 5-9-1 and 3-7-1 in the NWC.

After the two teams battled to a 0-0 draw during their last meeting, Linfield came out looking to put the pressure on Willamette from the kickoff. The Wildcats tallied an impressive 29 shots during the game, targeting 13 of them on goal. Conversely, the Bearcats only achieved four shots during the game, including two from Ashland Bernard (F, So, Kirkland, WA/Juanita HS).

Linfield came out strong, registering 11 corner kicks in the first half. The Wildcats first found the back of the net in the 27th minute, when Stephanie Socotch scored an unassisted goal. Linfield made the score 2-0 right before halftime, when Emily Fellows found the right corner of the goal from close range at 43:38.

The Wildcats third goal came at 59:40 by Emma Vukic, to go along with 13 second-half shots for Linfield.

Despite allowing three goals, Willamette goalkeeper Nicole Price (GK, Jr., Auburn, WA/Thomas Jefferson HS)performed valiantly, recording 10 saves. Taylor Collinsworth, the winning goalie for Linfield, earned two saves while playing the first 83:07.

The Bearcats will play their next game on Saturday, Oct. 20 against the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Wash.