McMINNVILLE, Ore. – A 9-1 scoring run that spanned 24 minutes from the end of the first quarter through the early minutes of the third quarter allowed visiting Whitworth to build the necessary cushion in a 15-13 Northwest Conference lacrosse win at Linfield on Sunday afternoon.

The Pirates evened their record a 5-5 overall and 2-2 in the NWC with their fifth straight win over the Wildcats (7-5, 3-2).  Whitworth will host Willamette and Lewis & Clark in the final home contests of the 2025 season next weekend.

Whitworth trailed 5-2 in the first quarter until the Pirates scored three goals in the final two minutes of the period.  Cassidy Fansler scored on an assist from Sierra Witte with 1:55 to go.  Peyton Green scored 46 seconds later and Sierra Witte added the third goal only 15 seconds after that.

Whitworth took the momentum into the second quarter, outscoring Linfield 5-1 for a 10-6 lead at the break.  Kenzie Hemman scored the first two of the second.  Campbell Vincent scored late in the second and then again early in the third to conclude the 9-1 run that gave the Pirates an 11-6 lead five minutes into the second half. 

After Linfield pulled within 11-9, Witte scored her second of the game with 24 seconds left to make it 12-9 in favor of the Bucs at the end of the third.

The Wildcats got within 14-12 with 4:59 to play in the match.  Megan Whitman scored with 3:41 to play and the Pirate defense held tough, allowing only one more Linfield goal with 25 seconds left in the game.

Whitworth outshot the Wildcats 36-27, but Linfield had an 18-7 edge in saves.  The Pirates won 19 of the 28 draw controls to have the advantage in possession.

Vincent led the Bucs with four goals, while Green, Witte, Hemman and Kenison Turner scored two apiece.  Witte added two assists and led Whitworth with nine of the draw controls.  Whitman and Hemman came up with three ground balls apiece.  Kayla Jones played 45 minutes in goal for the Bucs and stopped six shots while allowing eight goals.

Maizri Chandler led Linfield with four goals and one assist.  Gabby Crist scored twice, had four draw controls, four caused turnovers and five ground balls.  Tenley Hodge stopped 18 shots in goal.