Linfield Scores Early in Each Half on its way to Defeating Bearcats, 4-0

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

McMINNVILLE, ORE. -- Linfield College scored a goal early in each half to build momentum in a 4-0 win over Willamette University on Saturday, Oct. 18. The Widlcats improved to 10-3 overall, 7-3 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette moved to 2-11-1 on the season, including 1-8-1 in the NWC.

Emma Vukic led the Wildcats with two goals and an assist. She played a role in each of the first three goals.

Linfield's first goal was scored by Ellie Schmidt just 4:26 into the game. She took a short pass from Vukic and shot into the center of the goal. Vukic gave the Wildcats a 2-0 lead when she scored at 15:42 on a direct free kick from 20 yards out. Her shot went into the left side of the net.

Vukic scored on another 20-yard free kick a bit over two minutes into the second half at 47:24.

The final goal was scored by Emily Ing at 69:18 with an assist from Tegan Grunwald. After a shot by Grunwald was saved by Willamette goalkeeper Emily Sewall (So., GK, Petaluma, CA/Casa Grande HS), Ing was able to take a close-in shot and place the ball into the right side of the goal.

Linfield achieved a slim 10-9 edge in total shots and earned an 8-4 advantage in shots on goal. Schmidt took three shots for the Wildcats, including a pair of shots on target.

Rachel Fleener (Jr., F, Olympia, WA/Olympia HS) led Willamette with three shots and had one shot on goal. Sarah Desautels (Sr., MF/F, Snohomish, WA/Glacier Park HS) took two shots for the Bearcats.

Sewall ended the game with four saves for WU. McKena King of Linfield also played all 90 minutes and recorded four saves while earning the shutout.

Willamette will play on the road again on Sunday, Oct. 19. The Bearcats will take on George Fox University in Newberg, Ore., at 12 p.m. (PDT).