McMINNVILLE, Ore. – Visiting Whitworth held Linfield to only two second half goals and defeated the Wildcats 10-6 on Sunday afternoon in a Northwest Conference match at the Linfield Lacrosse Complex.

One day after the Pirates (4-7 overall, 3-5 NWC) surrendered three late goals in a loss at Pacific, Hannah Lew and Whitworth's defense came up big in the win over the Wildcats (2-8, 2-6).

Caitlin Smith led the Bucs with three goals and an assist.  She also had two caused turnovers and two draw controls.

Whitworth made the first four goals of the match, but neither team scored until Anna Chase got the Pirates on the board with only 1:33 left in the first period.

Kenzie Hemman tallied a goal only 20 seconds into the second quarter to increase the lead to 2-0.  Smith added her first of the game just over a minute later and then Chase scored her second of the match less than a minute after that, giving the Bucs a 4-0 lead. 

Linfield fought back to tie the match with four goals in the final 6:30 of the second quarter.  Maizri Chandler scored the final two. 

Whitworth retook control of the contest by scoring four of the five goals put on the board in the third quarter.  Smith scored only 44 seconds into the period before both offenses went quiet again.  Mackenzie Kulick retied the match for the Wildcats with 2:54 left.  The Bucs struck for three goals in the final minute of the third.  Nikki Beers scored from an assist by Smith and Sierra Witte tallied 16 seconds later.  Smith hit her hat trick with only five seconds to go, giving Whitworth an 8-5 advantage.

Gabby Crist got the hosts within 8-6 less than two minutes into the fourth, but the Whitworth defense held the Wildcats scoreless the rest of the way.  Rebecca Irwin scored for the Pirates with 3:44 left.  Witte added her second in the final seconds. 

Lew played the entire match in goal for Whitworth and made 13 saves to earn her first win of the season. 

Whitworth controlled possession by winning 15 of the 20 draw controls.  Megan Whitman and Witte had five draw controls apiece. 

The Pirates will return to action next weekend with a trip to Southern California for matches at Cal Lutheran and Occidental.