FOREST GROVE, Ore. – Whitworth's second half comeback fell short in a 2-1 loss to Pacific (Ore.) in a Northwest Conference women's soccer contest on Saturday afternoon at Hansen Stadium.
Hailey Herboth netted a goal in the 55th minute to cut the Boxers' (5-3 overall, 3-2 NWC) lead in half, but the Pirates (2-4, 1-3) were held off from forcing a draw.
Pacific took advantage of a Whitworth mistake in the 23rd minute to take an early lead. Elizabeth Brisson collected a misplaced pass and scored from outside the box. The Boxers finished the first half with a 9-4 advantage in shots and generated six corners. The Whitworth defense buckled down and prevented further first half damage.
The Pacific lead doubled just two minutes into the second half as Jadyn Ayano was able to finish from distance. The Bucs turned up the intensity and broke through eight minutes later. Herboth collected a throw in, made a shifty move to get by a defender near the end line, and fired a tough angled shot inside the far post. It was Herboth's first career goal.
The Pirates had a pair of shots on goal in the final 10 minutes, one from Kayla Santa Monica and one from Emma Ellerd. Both were saved. Whitworth outshot Pacific 6-5 in the second frame.
Shots finished 14-10 and 7-5 (shots on goal), both in favor of the Boxers.
Herboth, Santa Monica, Ayanna Tobeck, and Kaiti Low each recorded two shots to lead the Pirate attack. Karlee Roderick made five saves at goalkeeper.
Brisson finished with three shots, two on goal to lead Pacific. Madeleine Gomez made three saves in net.
The Pirate women will return to Spokane to host George Fox and Willamette next weekend.
