Sept. 18, 2010

Box Score

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - An own goal proved to be the difference as Western Washington University edged Saint Martin's University, 2-1, in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference women's soccer game Saturday afternoon to complete a four-game home stand at Orca Field on the campus of Whatcom CC.

The Vikings, who improved to 5-0-1 overall and 2-0-0 in the conference, are riding a 13-match unbeaten streak (11-0-2) that dates back into the 2009 season.

Saint Martin's fell to 1-5-0 and 0-2-0.

Western opened the scoring just 44 seconds in, with forward Molly Shannon (Sr., Bellingham) scoring from 16 yards. Forward Claire Morgan (Sr., Bellingham) and midfielder Joana Houpin (Jr., Olympia) notched assists.

The Vikings doubled the lead in the 32nd minute, as Morgan's corner kick was deflected by a Saint Martin's defender for an own goal.

Western seemed to have the game in hand, as they held the Saints without a shot attempt in the opening half. But Saint Martin's was more threatening in the second half.

The Saints pulled to within a goal in the 60th minute, Jenny Baker scoring on a counter-attack with assists from Jill Webb and Kayci Donatelli.

It was the first goal allowed by Western in the last five games, ending a 457-minute shutout streak, but Saint Martin's nearly leveled the score in the 73rd minute. Webb broke free on a breakaway, but Viking goalkeeper Jamie Arthurs (So., Richland) dove out to deflect Webb's shot for a corner kick, and Western held on after that.

"I was happy to get off to a good start and get an early goal," said Western coach Travis Connell. "But I was disappointed that we let them back in it. We made things more difficult than they needed to be. We need to learn to manage games better in the future."

The Vikings had a 13-5 advantage in shots, including an 8-0 edge in the first half.

Western next travels to Northwest Nazarene for a GNAC counter Thursday (2 p.m.) at Nampa, Id.

Western Washington vs. Saint Martin'sDate: 09/18/10   Attendance: 221Goals by Period     1   2      TotalSaint Martin's      0   1  ---   1Western Washington  2   0  ---   2SCORING SUMMARY:WWU - Shannon (Houplin, Morgan), 0:44WWU - Own Goal, 31:19SMU - Baker (Donatelli, Webb), 59:30Shots: Western Washington 15. Saint Martin's 5Corner kicks: Western Washington 3, Saint Martin's 1Fouls: Western Washington 10, Saint Martin's 10Saves: Western Washington 2 (Arthurs 2), Saint Martin's 6 (Cardenas 6)