The Linfield women’s soccer team hit the ground running, winning three out of four games. The Wildcats faced off with the Corban University Warriors of Salem, Ore., on Sept. 10.

Starting the game off at a fast pace, the Wildcats and Warriors battled for the ball. After 12 minutes, Corban’s sophomore Rileigh Mankin was fouled by Linfield sophomore goalie Taylor Collinsworth in the 18-yard box, earning the Warriors a penalty kick. Mankin scored, earning Corban the first and only goal of the game,  leaving the Wildcats with their first loss of the season.

The team won its previous three games against Southern Oregon University, Northwest Christian University and Oregon Institute of Technology.

“So far, the season is looking really good,” sophomore Emily Fellows said in an email. “We are three and one in preseason and we have improved each game. Our main team goal for the year is to win a conference title. It would be the first in Linfield women’s soccer history.”

The Wildcats have another great roster for this season. Just these four games alone, Fellows, who is the Northwest offensive player of the year, shows another promising season. Returning senior MacKenzie Doty has already started tallying her goals of the season. The team is welcoming back 20 returning players and is bringing 10 freshmen to join the team.

“The challenges that our team faces would be to make sure that we come out every game playing to our full potential and not play below our capabilities,” Fellows said in an email.

Along with starting the season off strong, the women’s soccer team has already achieved several accomplishments. Fellows scored her fourth hat trick of her career during the holiday weekend. Also, sophomore Apolonia Martinez got a shout out for her saves during the game against Oregon Institute of Technology.

The Wildcats play  at home against Lewis & Clark College on Sept. 14.

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Kaylyn Peterson/Sports editor
Kaylyn Peterson can be reached at [email protected].