Oct. 28, 2006

Whitman Shuts Down Lutes in NWC Women’s Soccer

Match Statistics

TACOMA, Wash. – Betsy Neel scored a goal in each half and the Whitman defense came up with a shutout as the visiting Missionaries defeated the Pacific Lutheran Lutes, 2-0, in a Northwest Conference women’s soccer match played Saturday at the PLU field.

With the victory, Whitman improves to 6-5-2 overall and to 5-5-2 in the conference. Pacific Lutheran is now 9-6-1 overall and 6-4-2 in the conference.

Neel, a senior from Seattle, took advantage of a PLU defensive mistake to give the Missionaries a 1-0 lead at 35:23 of the first half. Lutes goalkeeper Amanda Tschauner misjudged a cross from Kristen Berndt, and the ball sailed over her hands to the back post where Neel used her chest to put the ball into the open goal.

The second goal came at 75:03 when Neel’s shot went into the left side of the goal just beyond Tschauner’s outstretched hands.

Both teams took nine total shots, including five on goal. Whitman goalkeeper Courtney Porter recorded a “clean sheet” with five saves. She was also strong coming off her line on PLU corner kicks, punching several out of danger. Pacific Lutheran finished the match with eight corners to none for Whitman.

Both teams return to action on Sunday, the Lutes hosting Whitworth and Whitman traveling across town to face the Puget Sound Loggers.

- PLU -