SPOKANE, WASH. - The Whitworth women's soccer team scored a goal in each half and used a strong defensive effort to claim a 2-0 victory over Carleton College (Minn.) in the season opener for both teams on Wednesday at the Whitworth Soccer Field.

Tiara Pajimola gave the Pirates a 1-0 lead in the 21st minute, finding open attacking space after taking a long through-ball pass sent upfield from DeNae Vandam. Pajimola worked her way around the Carleton goalkeeper in the right side of the 18-yard box before finishing from close range.

"Excellent recognition of the space in behind (by Vandam) and then credit to Pajimola in that she was patient, she took the ball in and chose well how she struck the ball," head coach Jael Hagerott said.

Megan McCart doubled the Whitworth lead in the 50th minute, blasting a high-velocity shot to the upper-right corner of the goal. Brooke Morrow assisted the goal, as McCart found space and fired her shot from near the top of the 18-yard box.

"What a beautiful strike," Hagerott said. "Megan just nailed it and it was a beauty to watch."

The Pirates limited chances for the Knights to produce offensively, particularly in the first half. Carleton managed just three shots in the opening half, and was held without a shot on goal or a corner kick.

"The women were overall calm and composed, and worked the ball well together as a group which was one of our goals coming into this game," head coach Jael Hagerott said.

The Pirates held a 12-8 shot advantage in the match, including a 5-1 edge in shots on goal. Each team had four corner kick opportunities.

Carleton goalkeeper Mikayla Coulombe collected three saves while Whitworth goalkeeper Andrea Stump totaled one save in the shutout effort.

Whitworth continues its non-conference schedule on Saturday, taking on Carroll College (Mont.) in a neutral-site contest at Whitman College. Whitworth will conclude the non-conference schedule the following weekend with matches against Chapman University and the University of La Verne in Santa Cruz, Calif.