Penalty Shot Lifts Wildcats to Victory

With the win, Linfield improves to 2-4-2 in the conference and 4-6-2 overall. George Fox falls to 2-5-1 in the NWC and 4-7-1 overall with the loss.

Photo: OSU Athletics

McMINNVILLE - Martha Inouye made a penalty kick with 5:09 left to lift Linfield to a 1-0 victory over George Fox Sunday in Northwest Conference women’s soccer.

The Wildcats were awarded the 12-yard penalty kick when Rachel Miles was knocked down with the ball on the end line.

George Fox goalkeeper Jessica Cardwell guessed Inouye would shoot to her right side, but the Wildcat sophomore went to the left corner.

“Martha Inouye stepped up big time for us the whole game,” Linfield coach Melanie Langley said. Inouye, a two-year starting defender, “played center midfield -- a position she had never played here-- because of injuries,” Langley said.

George Fox led in shots 12-8 (it was 12-5 at one time) and in shots on goal 8-4.

Cartmill repelled two good George Fox shots within five seconds in the 11th minute of the second half. She blocked one by Julie Alexander and then stopped a close rebound shot by Amber Stevens, whose cross had set up Alexander in the first place.

Five minutes later Cartmill stopped Alexander’s 15-yard grass cutter after a half-field run. Alexander, the Bruins’ leading scorer (6 goals), was slightly wide-left from five yards with about eight minutes left.

In the first half, Cartmill deflected Bethany Zirschky’s unmarked 15-yarder over the goal in the 36th minute.

That was one of only two shots that came close in the scoreless first half. Fox keeper Cardwell caught a head-on drive by Linfield’s Chelsey Stoltz after a nifty cross from Kate Franklin in the 28th minute.

George Fox lost at Puget Sound on Saturday 1-0.

Miles, who is Linfield’s leading scorer with five goals, did not get a shot Sunday.

Linfield plays two home games this week, against Pacific on Friday at 4 PM, and against Puget Sound on Saturday at noon.

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