SALEM, Ore. – Christine Tamamoto (Jr., Honolulu, Hawaii) scored on a rising line-drive shot from 24 yards out with 2:30 remaining in the first overtime, powering Linfield to a 1-0 Northwest Conference victory over Willamette Saturday at the WU soccer pitch.

The red-hot Wildcats, unbeaten in six straight matches, improved to 10-2-2 on the season, 7-1-2 in the NWC. Linfield avenged an earlier 3-1 loss to Willamette last month in McMinnville.

The Linfield victory, coupled with NWC front-runner Puget Sound’s tie Saturday with Whitman, vaulted the Wildcats back into first place in the NWC standings.

The Bearcats dropped to 6-6-1, including 5-3-1 in the NWC.

The teams played a scoreless game during regulation. Including two shots in overtime, Linfield owned a 15-5 edge in total shots. The Wildcats held a 4-0 advantage in shots on goal and a 4-3 edge in corner kicks.

Five different Bearcats each had one shot for Willamette. Zoe Langsdorf (Soph., Vancouver, Wash.) and Jenna Quiring each had three shots for Linfield, with Langsdorf framing two shots on goal.

The winning goal by Tamamoto from the left side of the field was setup by a pass from Anna Sours (Sr., Jacksonville, Ore.) from near the left sideline. Tamamoto struck the ball with her right foot, sending a powerful shot in to the net. For Tamamoto, it was her second match-winning goal in her last three contests.

WU goalkeeper Nicole Price made three saves for the Bearcats. Apolonia Martinez played the first 96:40 for Linfield before leaving the game due to injury. Taylor Collinsworth (Soph., Bend, Ore.) played the final 50 seconds in goal for the Wildcats.

NEXT: Looking to atone for a 1-all tie, Linfield hosts George Fox Sunday at the Linfield soccer field. Match time is noon.