The Wildcats cut down the Loggers but could not conquer the Lutes.

Linfield traveled to Washington this weekend for the team’s first conference games against Puget Sound and Pacific Lutheran.

The ‘Cats defeated the Loggers 2-1 on Saturday afternoon. Neither team could get anything started in the first half, but Natalie Amara, ’20, started off the scoring in the second half from a corner kick at the 23:59 minute.

Emma Smith, ’21, scored off an assist from Desirae DesRosiers, ‘21, at 43:41.

But the ‘Cats were not able to shut out the Loggers. At the 67:57 minute Lura Morton scored on a crossing pass from Loggers teammate Tess Peppis.

“Saturday we played so well and we were really strong all throughout the game,” Sarah Bailey, ’19, said.

This was the first time the Wildcats beat the Loggers on their turf since 2012, “so it was special getting that win,” Bailey said. The Wildcats had 10 shots on goal.

Sunday’s game against the Lutes was a disappointing loss for the Wildcats, who lost 0-1. The ‘Cats were only able to get two shots on goal, compared with their competitors’ seven.

In the 50:51 minute, the Lutes squeezed a goal in.

“We started off slow and had to adapt to how the other team was playing. We did do a good job at adjusting to their playing style but unfortunately it wasn’t enough. We defended more today than we did play offense and that hurt us a little in the end,” Bailey said.

She said they were playing bigger and stronger women then they were used to and they had a hard time shutting them down.

Amara said that playing their two most competitive matches early in the season revealed a lot about the team and how it needs to better prepared for the rest of the season.

“We are a talented team from top to bottom and our results will show it,” she said.

Linfield now has a 1-1 conferance record and an overall 3-3.

The Wildcats are at home taking on the Willamette Bearcats at noon on Sept. 23 and the Lewis and Clark Pioneers also at noon on Sept. 24.