NEWBERG, Ore. – A stout Willamette University defense held George Fox University's offense to only three shots all day, none on goal, and the Bearcats scored the only goal of the game in the 60th minute to take a 1-0 Northwest Conference women's soccer victory over the Bruins Sunday afternoon here at the Austin Sports Complex.

Willamette out-shot the home team 7-0 in the first half, but George Fox goalie Ally Swanson made four saves to keep the contest scoreless.  The Bearcats broke the scoreless duel in the second half when Malia Simpson drove the right side of the keeper's box and set a cross in front of the goal to Veronia Ewers near the far post.  Ewers went high for the pass and headed it perfectly inside the post at the 59:07 mark for her second score of the season, which proved to be the difference in the game.

The Bearcats finished with 14 total shots, eight on goal, with Andrea Rowan leading the attempts with four shots and three on goal.  Swanson recorded seven saves in taking the hard-luck loss. 

George Fox had three shots to tie the score in the final 25 minutes but could not connect.  Melanie Gaither's shot from in front of the net was blocked in the 66th minute, Molly Norton sent a hard shot wide right in the 75th minute, and Becca Allen put one over the crossbar in the 88th minute.

Willamette keeper Nicole Price had no saves to make in earning the shutout.  The Bearcats held a 4-2 edge in corner kick tries.

NEXT: George Fox (1-7-2, NWC 0-6) hits the road for two matches next weekend, starting Saturday with a 12:00 noon contest at Pacific Lutheran University in Parkland, Wash. ... Willamette (4-5-1, NWC 2-3-1) visits Pacific University in Forest Grove, Ore., on Saturday, also at noon.