SPOKANE, Wash. – Visiting Linfield outscored Whitworth 9-2 over the second and third quarters to pull away for a 20-9 win in a Northwest Conference women's lacrosse match on Sunday afternoon in the Whitworth Pine Bowl.

The setback in the season finale does not diminish the step forward taken by the Pirates (5-11 overall, 3-9 NWC) in 2022.  Prior to this season, Whitworth had only won two matches in its history. 

The Wildcats (11-5, 7-4) will play one more make up match against Whitman.

Bethany Shade scored all three of her goals in the first 7:30 to help Linfield jump to a 5-2 lead midway through the first quarter.  But Kenzie Hemman scored her second goal of the match and Anna Chase followed with a goal to get the Pirates within 5-4.  Both were free position attempts.  Abby Ross scored twice for the Wildcats late in the period and Linfield led 7-4 after one quarter.

The defenses stepped up in the second quarter, but Linfield took better advantage and outscored Whitworth 3-1 for a 10-5 lead at halftime.  Hemman's third goal of the first half was the Pirates' only tally of the period.

The Wildcats took total control of the match in the third period, outscoring the Pirates 6-1.  Josie Duey put in the first two goals of the half for Linfield, sparking the run.  Whitworth's only goal came on Hemman's fourth goal of the match.  All of her goals were on free position attempts.  Sydney Winters put the finishing touch on the third quarter for Linfield when she scored on a fast break with one second left.

Linfield scored the first three goals of the fourth quarter, including the fourth of the match for Duey, to open its largest lead of the game at 19-7.  Whitworth continued to battle and Madison Perry scored a pair of goals in the final five minutes of her Pirate career.  Madison Miller scored her first goal of the season on a free position attempt in the final 20 seconds.

Maia Rezoski and Duey led the visitors with four goals apiece.  Ross had three goals and four assists for a team-high seven points. 

Hemman tied her season high for goals, matching the four she scored in a win at Pacific (Ore.) on March 6.  Perry's two goals gave her 27 for the season, the most on the team.

Lizzy Harms earned the win in goal for Linfield.  She made four saves.

Sage Fosnock started in goal for Whitworth and allowed seven goals without a save.  Hannah Lew finished the final three quarters and gave up 13 goals with six saves.

Linfield outshot Whitworth 30-16 and forced 19 Pirate turnovers.  The Wildcats had a slight 16-15 edge in draw controls.