WALLA WALLA, Wash. - Whitman College fought its way to yet another Northwest Conference tie Sunday afternoon against Linfield College. The Missionaries got on the board first with a goal coming from
Lena de Guzman, but Linfield answered in the 81st minute. Whitman had chances late in regulation and overtime, but was unable to come away with points.
Kathleen Daly-Jensen and de Guzman combined for eight shots in the contest as the Missionaries finished the game in a 1-1 deadlock.
After delivering a shutout the day before, the Whitman (2-9-6, 2-5-6 NWC) defense was clearly a factor for the second straight day. The Missionaries only allowed Linfield (8-4-3, 5-4-3 NWC) one corner kick and four shots on goal, with goalkeeper
Haley Case collecting three saves. Whitman outshot the Wildcats 17-12 in the match and took eight corners throughout the afternoon.
The game was primarily a defensive battle through the first 60 minutes, but in the 65th the Missionaries broke through. Whitman's Daly-Jensen subbed into the game in the 61st minute and wasted little time making her presence known; she took a shot in the 64th that looked promising, but was saved by Linfield goalkeeper, Sarah Bailey. A minute later, Daly-Jensen sent a pass to de Guzman from the right side of the box and de Guzman delivered a goal, giving the Missionaries a 1-0 lead.
After taking the one-goal advantage Whitman did not let up, firing five shots and gaining two corners in the following minutes, it was clear pressure was being put on the Wildcats. Linfield managed to weather the storm and in the 81st tied the game on a goal from Emma Vukic.
Defense shone through during both overtime periods as neither team had a look to end the game. The 1-1 tie shows how much improvement has taken place over the course of the last few weeks for Whitman. On September 27, the Missionaries came up emptied handed in a 5-0 loss at Linfield. Nearly a month later, Whitman gave itself every opportunity to win the game and played the Wildcats to a tough 1-1 final.
The Missionaries hit the road next weekend for games against Pacific Lutheran University and the University of Puget Sound on October 31 and November 1 respectively.
