EUGENE, Ore.  – The Northwest Christian University opened the 2014 season on Saturday with a 2-1 loss to Linfield College at Mike Kelly Field.
 
After losing 6-0 to the Wildcats in 2013, the close result was a welcome change and head coach Brett Bentley was optimistic when talking about the contest. "It wasn't the result we wanted," he said, "but we played really well defensively and limited the number of chances that we gave them. One goal came off a set piece and the other goal caught us as we left ourselves exposed, but all-in-all it was a good game for us on both sides of the ball. The bottom line is we were playing a very good team that would be right up there with Concordia if they were in our conference."
 
The teams played through a scoreless first half as Linfield held a 7-0 advantage in shots. The Wildcats quickly got on the board in the second half as Kendra McSheridan headed in a rebound after a saved shot by Lauren Pyrch in the 47th minute.
 
NCU answered in the 62nd minute, converting their only shot attempt of the night. Senior Stevie Harrison (pictured) got the ball on a breakaway at midfield and was left one-on-one against the Linfield keeper. Harrison finished into the left side of the net, knotting the game at 1-1.
 
"I'm very proud of Stevie," said Bentley. "It was a brilliant individual effort and it came at a good time because it really gave us a boost."
 
NCU gave up what would become the game-winner in the 71st minute when Emily Fellows scored on a header off a cross from Ellie Schmidt.
 
The Beacons continued to press for the final 19 minutes but couldn't come up with any more opportunities in their home opener. Bentley said, "It was good to see us late in the game really forcing the issue. We have the ability to dictate the game but we have to do it from the get-go. We can't let teams come in and set the tempo, so this was a good learning lesson tonight. We need to sharpen up and get a little more clinical in the final third so that we are creating and converting a few more chances."
 
Kristin Fulbright began her junior season with a five-save effort for the Beacons. McKena King got the win in goal for Linfield without needing to make a save in the match.
 
The Beacons will return to the pitch on Thursday night when they play host to Oregon Tech at 5:00 pm in a non-conference contest.