by Katelyn McLean
Student Writer

SPOKANE, Wash. - Whitworth opened the 2021 women's lacrosse season with a 22-5 loss to visiting Linfield College on Saturday at Puryear Field.

Linfield's (1-2 overall, 1-2 NWC) offense got off to a quick start, scoring three goals in the first five minutes of the game to establish an early 3-0 lead against the Pirates.

 The Pirates responded with a goal from sophomore attacker Carcie Chappell with 24:13 left in the first half, narrowing the Wildcats' lead to 3-1. Another goal by junior midfielder Madison Perry with 14:49 left in the first half curbed Linfield's progress and narrowed the lead to 5-2.

However, the 'Cats went on to score the next eight consecutive goals, widening the lead to 13-2 going into halftime.

Whitworth came out quickly in the second half, scoring in less than a minute in on a free position shot from sophomore midfielder Kylee Walker, followed by another goal from freshman defender Aunnika Lang. These back-to-back goals cut Linfield's lead down to nine goals.

Linfield's high-powered offense returned, and the Wildcats went on another scoring run with seven consecutive goals, stretching out their lead to 20-4.

Perry scored her second goal of the day for the Pirates with five minutes left in the second half, pulling the Bucs within 20-5.

The Wildcats scored the final two goals in the last two minutes.

Jenna Hessel led Linfield with seven goals, while Bethany Shade and Josie Duey scored four each.  Shade dominated at midfield by winning 16 draw controls.

Linfield goalie Epi Roldan-Rayo got the win for Linfield with three goals allowed and four saves. Starting goalie Tori Schauer got the loss for Whitworth with 13 goals allowed and four saves in 30 minutes of playing time. Madison Gotthardt played the second half for the Pirates and finished with nine goals allowed and two saves.

Whitworth will take on Linfield in the Pine Bowl again tomorrow with hopes to even their conference record to 1-1.