SPOKANE, Wash. - Whitman scored the lone goal of the match on a penalty kick in the 78th minute en route to a 1-0 victory over Whitworth in the conference-opener for both schools on Wednesday afternoon at the Whitworth Soccer Field.

Whitman (1-4, 1-0 NWC) broke a streak of four consecutive shutout losses to open the season while Whitworth (2-3-0, 0-1 NWC) lost its third match in a row.

Whitman's Danielle Wieck was presented with a penalty kick opportunity after Whitworth committed a slide-tackle foul just inside the top of the 18-yard box. Wieck finished her penalty kick shot to the lower-left corner of the net past a diving Andrea Stump to put Whitman on the scoreboard.

The Pirates controlled possession in the first half and put four shots on goal while holding the Missionaries without a shot on frame, but were unable to find the back of the net. 

Whitworth nearly took the lead just after halftime in the 48th minute when Arielle Van Peursem found space in the 18-yard box and fired a shot from close range that bounced off the left goal post only to carom directly back to Whitman goalkeeper Haley Case, who had dove for the original shot from Van Peursem.

The Missionaries found better offensive opportunities after halftime, totaling nine shots with five shots on goal. The Pirates managed seven shots in the second half and put four shots on goal, but were shutout for the second consecutive match.

Case collected eight saves in the match while Stump totaled three saves.

The Missionaries finished with a 14-12 edge in shots. Whitworth committed 14 fouls compared with four fouls by Whitman. The Pirates had five corner kick chances compared with three for the Missionaries. 

The Pirates remain at home to play George Fox and Pacific (Ore.) over the weekend. Whitworth will face the Bruins at noon on Saturday before hosting the Boxers on Sunday at noon.