Box Score By Jacob Hayes
NEWBERG --- In the final match of the season, the George Fox Bruins and the Linfield Wildcats duked it out through two overtime periods, but neither team could find the net in the 0-0 tie.
Recap
The Bruins started the game with early offensive possession, but a free-kick from Madison Huesers sailed high, as did a shot soon after from Madison Birch. Linfield quickly turned it around and took multiple shots in the 20th and 22nd minutes, but Brooke Jones made the saves.
In the 28th minute, George Fox made a break into Linfield territory and earned a corner kick. Brittany Bravo took the kick and placed it perfectly into the box. Daria Brandt jumped up above everyone else to head the ball, but the carom hit the crossbar, just missing the space between the bar and the outstretched hand of the keeper. George Fox maintained pressure with another free-kick from Huesers in the 31st minute, but it again sailed high.
Linfield regained possession soon after, making another run, but Jones made two more saves, keeping Linfield off of the board to close the half.
The second half opened with Linfield in firm control of the ball, creating multiple offensive opportunities. A corner in the 69th minute for the Wildcats was almost put in by a header, but the ball went high over the crossbar.
Soon after, the Bruins took back the ball and earned a corner kick, this time taken by Savannah Sexton. Her kick came right back to her, so she took a shot, but it missed wide right. Amy Hatter took a shot soon after, but the Linfield goalkeeper made the save.
The rest of the half was played between the boxes until the horn blew, advancing the game to overtime.
In the first overtime period, the Wildcats started with the ball and made quick work of getting downfield, earning them a corner kick in the 90". The Bruins played great defense in the box, getting the ball out quickly, but Linfield maintained their offensive pressure. In the 94", Linfield again took a corner kick but couldn't find the net.
The second overtime period started again with more Linfield offense. In the 104th minute, a shot from the left side looked like it was going in on the far-right side, but goalkeeper Annalisa Klein made the diving save across the frame to keep the Bruin's hopes alive. With time running out, George Fox made a final push to score, but Maggee Hodgdon's shot was saved. A final play was made by Linfield after a George Fox offsides call, but it was not successful, ending the game at 0-0.
Top Performers
The entire backline (Huesers, Brandt, Sexton, and Kara Ryker) stepped up for Senior Day, making it extremely difficult for the Wildcats to finish their plays. Midfielders Bravo, Hatter, Megan Harrington, Abby Anderson, and Katlyn Martinez played great games, giving the Bruins multiple chances to score. Huesers, Hodgdon, Ryker led the forwards with two shot attempts each and goalkeepers Jones and Klein had a shutout performance for the second straight game.
What It Means
George Fox finishes its season with a conference record of 2-10-4 and an overall record of 4-10-5.
