PARKLAND, Wash. – Whitworth women's soccer closed the first half of the Northwest Conference schedule with a 3-0 loss to Pacific Lutheran on Sunday at East Field.
The Pirates fell to 3-7 overall and 2-6 in the NWC. The Lutes moved to 6-2-3, 4-1-2 in conference play.
An unfortunate handball in the box gave PLU an opportunity to take an early lead in the fifth minute. Liv Olson converted the succeeding penalty kick for her second goal of the season. The Bucs held in defensively and prevented further first half damage despite being outshot 10-2.
Two second half goals put the match out of reach. In the 55th minute, PLU intercepted a pass near the Pirate box and reversed field where Tia Schwetz scored in the bottom right corner. Two minutes later, Schwetz added her second of the game and third of the season following a corner kick.
Whitworth kept fighting and outshot the Lutes in the second half 7-5, though both of their shots on goal in the final 10 minutes were saved.
PLU finished with 15-9 advantage in total shots and 11-3 advantage in shots on goal.
Emma Ellerd led the Pirate attack with three shots. Kayla Santa Monica and Olivia Durrett added two shots and one shot on goal apiece. Karlee Roderick made seven saves in the full 90 minutes at goalkeeper.
Three players recorded two shots on goal to lead the Lutes. Mia Spier made three saves in her NWC-leading sixth clean sheet.
Whitworth will begin the second half of conference action on the road at Linfield next Friday and Lewis & Clark on Sunday.
