Bearcats Fall to Linfield 3-2 in Overtime, but Blackburn Scores Two Goals

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- For the second consecutive game, Willamette University forward Emma Blackburn (Jr., Los Altos, CA/Saint Francis HS) scored two goals, including a game-tying goal with 8:25 left in regulation, but Linfield University scored with 37 seconds left in overtime to defeat the Bearcats, 3-2, on Wednesday, March 17 at Sparks Field. Linfield improved to 4-1 overall, 4-1 in the Northwest Conference, while Willamette slipped to 1-2 on the season, 1-2 in the NWC.

The winning goal was scored by Linfield's Makenna Blix, who shot from 17 yards into the upper left portion of the net at 99:23. She was assisted on the play by Izzy Chauls.

Blix also scored the game's first goal just 8:42 into the contest. She shot from 14 yards as she redirected a free kick that Natalie Amara took from 24 yards on the right side of the field. The redirection by Blix sent the ball into the lower right corner of the goal.

Willamette answered 28 seconds later at 9:10 on an 8-yard header by Blackburn near the right side of the goal. She received a cross from the left side by Jackie Gilroy (So., F, Mercer Island, WA/Mercer Island HS). The teams remained tied 1-1 at halftime and well into the second half.

Michayla Sponsel of Linfield broke the tie on a shot from 15 yards at 78:01. She was assisted by Amara and Kristen Burke. Blackburn tied the game just over two minutes later at 81:35 on a shot from 16 yards. Sydney Wilson (Jr., M, Olympia, WA/Capital HS) set up the goal with a cross from the right side.

Linfield held an 11-7 edge in total shots and a 5-3 margin in shots on goal. Much of the game was a battle in the midfield, and most attacks were contained by the defenses. Willamette goalkeeper Grasiela Quevedo-Ramos (Sr., GK, Salem, OR/West Salem HS) registered two saves and Linfield goalie Madi Reimer was credited with one save. Linfield earned a 5-0 advantage in corner kicks, but did not score from a corner.

Sponsel led Linfield with four total shots, while Chauls took three shots for the Wildcats. Blackburn topped the Bearcats with three shots.

Willamette will take on the Wildcats again on Sunday, March 21. The game will be played in McMinnville, Oregon, at 12 p.m. (PST).