MCMINNVILLE, Ore. – The Whitman College women's soccer team was unable to pick up its second conference win of the season Sunday afternoon. The Missionaries fell to Linfield on the road, 5-0. Although taking five shots on goal, the Whitman offensive was unable to get on the scoreboard, while its defense was unable to slow the Wildcats.
 
Whitman (1-7-1, 1-3-1 NWC) had an early shot on goal, but Sarah Strozyk's shot was saved by Linfield (5-1-1, 2-1-1 NWC) goalkeeper Sarah Bailey. In the 17th minute Emma Vukic connected with the back of net to put the Wildcats up 1-0. Six minutes later Vukic tallied an assist on a goal by Sami Moellmer and Linfield controlled the game early 2-0.
 
The Missionaries had an opportunity in the 33rd minute to cut into the Linfield lead, but Bailey collected another save on a shot by Lena Guzman. Two minutes later, Linfield's Kyleigh Jandro extended the Wildcats' lead to three on another assist by Vukic. The 41st minute gave Whitman's Kelsey Peck an opportunity to get the Missionaries on the board, but Bailey held her ground and saved the shot.
 
Vukic struck again three minutes before the half. Linfield's Sami Moellmer and Vukic went back-and-forth, leading to a fourth goal by the Wildcats, second on the day for Vukic. That goal ended a difficult first half for the Missionaries who entered the break trailing 4-0.
 
The second half proved to be another tough one for Whitman as Linfield scored in the 73rd minute and extended their lead to five. Although it was an altogether rough day for the Whitties, they were able to accumulate five shots on goal, all five coming from different players. Whitman's Hailey Case collected five saves on the day, but it did not prove to be enough in the end.
 
Whitman will have a week to regroup and find a solution before next weekend's back-to-back against Pacific Lutheran and Puget Sound on Saturday and Sunday at noon.