SPOKANE, Wash. – Whitworth had to battle visiting Whitman, dust, lightning and darkness to come away with a 1-0 win on Wednesday evening in a match called after 74 minutes due to the dark. It became official after the time reached 70 minutes.
The Pirates improved to 4-1-1 overall and 2-0-1 in the NWC while the Blues fell to 4-2-1, 1-1-1.
Claire Nguyen scored in the 10th minute when she beat Whitman keeper Lindsey Pasena-Littlesky to a long pass forward from Mac Lembke, split two defenders and scored into an open goal.
Soon after there was a 55-minute weather delay that included lightning, heavy rain and a dust storm. After play resumed Whitworth had a 5-2 edge in shots in the first half, including a 3-0 advantage in shots on-goal.
The teams were battling light as much as each other in the second half. But Whitworth continued to have the advantage in possession, outshooting the Blues 4-2. Seanee See came on as a substitute in goal for the Blues in the second half and made three saves.
Paige Broadrick made two second half saves for the Pirates to increase her scoreless streak to 254 minutes in conference play.
Whitworth will travel to play at Linfield University on Sunday.
