Box ScoreFOREST GROVE – Linfield opened the Northwest Conference women's soccer season by keeping their overall record unblemished Saturday as the Wildcats rolled to a 7-1 victory over Pacific at Hanson Stadium.
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Dani Nurmi scored a hat trick within a 12-minute span early in the second half and added a fourth goal in the 75th minute, pacing a barrage that saw the Wildcats score five goals and take 15 shots in the final 45 minutes.Â
Ashley Park-Hunt (So., Mililani, Hawaii) prevented the Linfield shutout with 15 seconds left, rebounding her own shut off the hands of Linfield goalie Laurel Huth into the right corner of the net for her second goal of the season.
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Linfield (4-0-0, 1-0-0 NWC) controlled much of the pace of the first half and had six shots before Fellows put the Wildcats up 1-0 in the 25th minute. She scored her fifth goal of the season when she turned Baker's long crossing pass into the right side of the net.
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The Wildcats wasted little time turning up the pressure in the second half. Nurmi gave Linfield a 2-0 lead in the 50th minute, re-collecting a blocked shot by Schmidt for her second goal of the season. Two minutes later, Emma Vukic was the recipient of a penalty kick. Pacific goalie
Megan Green (So., Albany, Ore.) made the save, but Baker was in the right place to rebound the ball back into the net.
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Nurmi scored her second goal of the match off a set piece in the 60th minute, positioning herself along the far past to head in Vukic's corner. Ellie Schmidt then played add-on in the 64th minute, connecting on a shot that crossed through the eight-yard box. Nurmi added her fourth goal of the contest in the 75th minute, connecting on an assist by Tegan Grunwald.
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Pacific's (3-2-0, 0-1-0 NWC) best first half scoring opportunities came late. Lyndsay Watanabe (Jr., Mililani, Hawaii) had a clear look from the top of the 18-yard box in the 35th minute, but the shot was easily saved by Linfield keeper McKena King.Â
Emily Tuffey (Sr., Valencia, Calif.) tried to surprise Linfield in the 44th minute with a one-timer from 30 yards away, but King rushed in late to make the save and keep Pacific scoreless.
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Kara Lankey (So., La Canada, Calif.) had another great scoring chance in the 47th minute, moving to the corner of the 18-yard box on a breakaway from between the corners, but watched her attempts sail over the crossbar.
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Huth earned her first win of the season for Linfield, while King made three first half saves for the Wildcats. Green, who entered the game at halftime, took the loss for the Boxers. Linfield out-shot Pacific 25-8 for the match and held a 7-5 advantage in corner kicks.
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Pacific takes to the road next weekend, continuing NWC play at George Fox on Saturday and at Pacific Lutheran on Sunday. Linfield plays next weekend at Puget Sound on Saturday and at Linfield on Sunday.
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