PARKLAND - Scoring the program's highest number of goals in a match since the 2002 season, Pacific Lutheran dismantled Linfield, 7-2, in a conference match played Saturday afternoon on the PLU field.

PLU last scored seven goals in a 7-0 whitewash of Eastern Oregon University on Sept. 2, 2002.

The Lutes benefited when the Wildcats lost the only keeper on their roster to a red card in the 22nd minute. Still, they put 11 of their 17 total shots on goal and got two goals from Karli Hurlbut and one goal apiece from Olivia Lee, Megan O'Rourke, Courtney Walker, Karin Hatch and Mimi Granlund.

The game's flow certainly changed when the Wildcats lost their only goalkeeper following Olivia Lee's match-opening goal at 21:01 into the first half. The Wildcats actually tied the match at 1-1 on a goal by Rachel Miles at 40:23 of the first half, and despite not having a backup keeper available, Linfield was able to hold off the Lutes for the next 47 minutes. At that point, the floodgates opened for the goals-starved Lutes.

Hurlbut scored consecutive goals for the hosts at 68:34 and 72:26, the assists going to Shelby Daly and Meredith Newby, putting the Lutes on top by a 3-1 count. MacKenzie Doty pulled the visitors to within a goal with an unassisted tally at 74:27, but Megan O'Rourke answered with her first goal of the season at 76:24, the assist going to Courtney Walker. Less than four minutes later Walker made it 5-2 with an unassisted goal, and the final two tallies came from Karin Hatch and Mimi Granlund, both inside the final six minutes. For Granlund, it was her first collegiate goal.

Lauren Chambard made six saves as the Wildcats got off 15 total shots, including nine on frame. One statistic that didn't reflect the score came in corner kicks where the 'Cats enjoyed a big 10-1 advantage.

The Lutes return to action at noon on Sunday when they host the Lewis & Clark Pioneers in another Northwest Conference match.

- PLU -