Linfield Rocks La Verne, 7-0

Emma Triplett scored two goals and assisted on another for the Cats.

Amber Calcagno scored a goal in each half for the Cats. Photo courtesy; Linfield Athletics

McMINNVILLE, Ore. - It was all offense Friday night at the Linfield soccer field, as Linfield hammered La Verne 7-0.

An Amber Calcagno header off a Kate Franklin corner kick in the 24th minute was the deciding goal, and also jump-started the Wildcats’ offense to their best performance of the season.

Emma Triplett had the big night for the Cats. Triplett scored two goals and assisted on another.

The Wildcats’ second goal of the night came two minutes following Calcagno’s goal, when Steph Caster headed the ball over Leopards goalkeeper Amanda West, leading to an open-net scoring chance which Triplett converted.

The match was played almost entirely in La Verne’s half of the field. Linfield led in shots on goal by a final count of 20-6.

Triplett wasn’t the only Wildcat with a monster night. Caster joined the scoring fest with a goal in the 31st minute, giving Linfield a 3-0 lead going into the half.

Calcagno tallied her second goal of the match in the 53rd minute, making the score 5-0.

Freshman Brittany Vargas made it 6-0 with her first career goal in the 81st minute. Kim Skelly had the assist on Vargas’ goal

Linfield had been held scoreless during the first two matches of the season before tonight, when they found their rhythm in a big way.

The Linfield defense was stingy as usual, never allowing La Verne to mount a serious threat at any point in the match.

Kelsey Hasselblad continued to be the leader of the defense, notching six saves en route to her second straight shutout.

NEXT:

Linfield (1-1-1 overall) opens up Northwest Conference play next Saturday with a road match against Whitman. La Verne (0-2) travels Saturday to play host Willamette.

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