WALLA WALLA,  Wash. – Another stellar defensive effort by the George Fox University Bruins once again went for naught as the Whitman College Missionaries scored the only goal of the game with two minutes left in regulation for a 1-0 Northwest Conference women's soccer win Saturday afternoon here at the Whitman Athletic Field.

Whitman held a huge advantage in total shots, 27-5, and in shots on goal, 10-2, but the Bruin defense, led by goalkeeper Ally Swanson who collected eight saves, kept the Missionaries at bay for 88 minutes. The Missionaries finally broke through when Kelsey Roehner sent a cross to the middle of the keeper's box for Jaclyn Rudd, who shot the ball into the right side of the net.  It was Rudd's team-leading fifth goal of the season.

The Bruins had one final chance to tie it with 72 seconds remaining, but Esther Harder's attempt was wide.  Harder had three of the George Fox shots, with one on goal, while Becca Allen had the other Bruin shot that was on target, but Whitman goalie Emily Davis stopped both in securing the shutout.

Whitman was led in shot attempts by Rudd with seven, while Clara Merlino had five shots.  The Missionaries also had a 4-1 advantage in corner kicks.

George Fox, playing once again without two of its top scorers in Michelle Young (12 points) and Melanie Gaither (6 points) due to injury, suffered its ninth shutout of the season, one short of the Bruins' single-season record, in falling to 2-11-2 overall and 1-10 in the conference.  Seven of the Bruins' setback have been by a single goal, with six overtime games as well.  Whitman improved to 4-9-3 overall and 3-6-3 in the NWC.

NEXT: The Bruins finish their eastern Washington swing Sunday at 12:00 noon against league co-leader Whitworth University (8-5-2, NWC 8-1-2) ... Whitman hosts Pacific University (5-7-3, NWC 3-7-1) Sunday at noon.