George Fox Rallies to Defeat Linfield 3-2 in OT

With the win, the Bruins stake claim to third place in the NWC, improving to 8-3 overall and 5-2 in conference play.

Steph Caster scored two goals for the Wildcats in a 3-2 OT loss to George Fox. Photo courtesy: Linfield Athletics

McMINNVILLE, Ore. - Kirsten Cardwell’s overtime goal in the 98th minute gave George Fox a 3-2 come-from-behind win over Linfield in a Northwest Conference match at the Linfield soccer field Saturday afternoon.

Coming into the game, Linfield trailed George Fox by a game in the standings.

With the win, the Bruins stake claim to third place in the NWC, improving to 8-3 overall and 5-2 in conference play.

The Wildcats fall to 4-5-1 overall and 3-4 in NWC action.

Cardwell’s goal came off an assist from Amber Stevens. The goal was a header to the left corner of the net, beating Wildcats goalkeeper Kelsey Hasselblad.

Trailing 2-0 at halftime, the Bruins scored three unanswered goals to shock the Wildcats.

Steph Caster jump-started the Wildcats with an unassisted goal in the 25th minute, giving Linfield a 1-0 advantage.

With the ball just inside the box, Caster faked to her right and brought the ball back to her left, hooking a shot to the top-left corner of the net past Bruins goalkeeper Jessica Cardwell.

With just under nine minutes left in the first half, Caster drilled home her second goal of the match.

Caster was aided by assists from Kelli Gillespie and Kim Skelly. The two passes found Caster, who was left all alone less than 15 yards from the net.

The junior midfielder converted for her fourth goal of the season, giving the Wildcats a 2-0 lead at the break.

The tide turned in the second half, as George Fox cut the lead in half in the 57th minute, when McKinsey assisted Amber Stevens.

Linfield held George Fox in check until 10 minutes left when Nicole Akiu got loose past Wildcat defenders and scored the equalizer. McKinsey contributed her second assist of the day on the tying goal.

That led to overtime and eventually ended with Cardwell’s winning goal.

Jessica Cardwell had eight saves on the afternoon and Hasselblad tallied seven.

NEXT:

Linfield travels to play Pacific Lutheran Sunday at 11 a.m. George Fox continues its road trip Sunday with a match against Puget Sound at noon.

Source: Linfield Athletics

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