SPOKANE, Wash. – With scoring opportunities at a premium of a rainy Saturday afternoon, the Whitworth University Pirates managed to put two shots into the net in the first half around a score by the George Fox University Bruins for a 2-1 Northwest Conference women's soccer victory here at the Whitworth soccer field.

The Pirates struck for their first goal at 9:22 when Jami Hegg sent a corner kick into the middle for Carly Schilperoort, who directed it home for her first goal of the season.  The Bruins responded with the equalizer at the 28:27 mark when Melanie Gaither passed to Casssady Gardner, who sent a shot from the right side of the box into the corner of the goal, her second score of the season.

Whitworth got the game-winner just over two minutes before the half.  Hegg crossed to Mackenzie Grow just outside the box at the center of the pitch, and she put it over the head of George Fox keeper Alyssa Montero, who was able to tip it but not stop it, and under the crossbar for her third goal of the year.

The defense tightened even more in the second half, the Bruins allowing only two shots on goal by the Pirates and the home team giving the visitors no shots on goal. Whitworth finished with 16 total shots, eight on goal, while George Fox managed six shots in all.  The Pirates held a decided advantage in corner kick chances, 7-0.

Montero mad six saves in goal for the Bruins.  Callie Bergstrom had no save opportunities as the Pirates' keeper.

NEXT: George Fox (2-9-4, NWC 2-7-2) continues its eastern Washington trip with a visit to Whitman College Sunday at 12:00 noon ... Whitworth (7-4-3, NWC 7-2-3) hosts Pacific University Sunday at noon.