EUGENE, Ore. – For the third straight game the Northwest Christian University women's soccer gave up a goal within the first 20 seconds and for the fourth straight game the Beacons came out on the losing end, dropping a 4-1 decision to Linfield College on Saturday night.

“It's like we're snake bit,” said head coach Jonathan Rea. “In all my years of coaching I've never seen a team give up a goal in the first minute three times in a season, let alone in a row, and I can't explain it. I think it's a fluke thing, but we need to figure it out.”

NCU responded, however, with a quick goal of their own, taking advantage of their first scoring opportunity of the game in the seventh minute. Kara Nelson drove the ball down the left side of the field and laid a perfect cross into Karli Vath in front of the goal. Linfield keeper Kelsey Hasselblad made a diving stop on Vath's shot, but senior Sarah Stalling was waiting for the rebound and was able to punch the ball in for the empty net goal, her first of the season.

Coach Rea said, “I was really pleased with our offense tonight. We worked the ball around well and on the scoring play, Sarah did an excellent job of being patient and following the attack. Sometimes the wide open look can be the hardest shot in soccer but Sarah showed a lot of poise, and got the job done.

The Beacons would surrender another two goals before the half, but held the Wildcats to just three shots on goal after intermission and just one more score.

#Donn Almeida (pictured) had a strong game for the Beacons in the midfield on Saturday night. “Donn was very strong tonight. She did a great job battling hard and being first to the ball. She was productive when she won a ball and she was serving some nice balls as well.”

Northwest Christian will be back in action on Monday as they travel to face Lewis & Clark College.