Box Score    |     Final Stats

BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Abby Klinkenberg's rebound goal early in the second half proved the difference as 20th-ranked Western Washington clinched the Great Northwest Athletic Conference women's soccer regular season title with a 1-0 win over Seattle Pacific Thursday night at Harrington Field.
 
The Falcons (8-4-2) had their five-game unbeaten streak halted and were blanked after scoring 10 goals in winning their previous three matches. They slipped to third in the GNAC standings at 6-3-2 by virtue of Montana State Billings beating St. Martin's.
 
It was the 11th shutout for the Vikings (13-0-2), who are now 9-0-2 in conference and the top scoring defense in NCAA Division II by virtue of just four goals allowed. Western has won 20 consecutive home games, including eight this year.
 
Assertive from the outset of the second half, Western peppered the SPU goal with eight shots in the first 20 minutes, finally breaking the stalemate at 56:03.

 

Elise Aylward played Stephanie Hamilton down the left wing. Hamilton's tight-angle shot from eight yards was batted away by SPU senior goalkeeper Alexa Hughes (Everett, Wa./Archbishop Murphy HS) at the near post but into the path of the onrushing Klinkenberg, who scored her first goal from point-blank range.
 
The Vikings rarely allowed SPU to attack, and put together three other chances. Hughes was forced to makes saves on Jessica Bertucci from distance in the 85th minute and Catherine Miles in the box less than a minute later. Prior to the goal, Hamilton's 30-yard free kick skipped off the top of the crossbar.
 
Western out-shot SPU 12-3 in the second period and 22-8 overall. Hughes made seven saves while the Vikings Ashley Haden had four in the shutout.
 
Each side produced a clear scoring opportunity in the first half. SPU' came in the 11th minute on counterattack. Sophomore forward Hannah Heusers (Lake Stevens, Wash./Lake Stevens HS), the GNAC scoring leader, penetrated deep into the right side of the box, but her 10-yard shot was parried around the near post by Haden for a corner.
 
Just past the half-hour, Western's Emily Webster rammed her free kick into the wall. The rebound fell to Delanee Nilles, whose close-range try was blocked and then smothered by Hughes.
 
Although the Vikings held a 10-5 halftime advantage in shots and 6-1 in corners, the visitors forced four saves.
 
SPU visits Simon Fraser on Saturday before returning home to host Western Oregon on Oct. 30.
 
 
NCAA WOMEN'S SOCCER
Thursday, Oct. 23, 2014
Harrington Field / Bellingham, Wash.
 
at (#20) Western Washington 1, Seattle Pacific 0
 
Scoring – 1, WWU, Abby Klinkenberg (Stephanie Hamilton, Elise Aylward), 56:03.
 
Shots – SPU 8, WWU 22.
Saves –SPU 7 (Alexa Hughes), WWU 4 (Ashley Haden).
Corner Kicks – SPU 1, WWU 7.
Fouls – SPU 8, WWU 12.
Offsides – SPU 1, WWU 1.
 
Cautions – Delanee Nilles, WWU, 63:30.
 
Records
Seattle Pacific 8-4-2, 6-3-2 GNAC
Western Washington 13-0-2, 9-0-2 GNAC
 
Next SPU Women's Game
Seattle Pacific at Simon Fraser
Saturday, Oct. 25, 5:00 p.m.
Terry Fox Field / Burnaby, B.C.