Box Score

Post-Game Interview - Lexi Klinkenberg

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Lexi Klinkenberg (Fr., Renton/Kentridge) scored the only goal of the game in the 57th minute, lifting nationally ranked Western Washington University to a 1-0 win over Seattle Pacific University in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference women's soccer contest on Thursday, Oct. 23, at Robert S. Harrington Field on the WWU campus.

The victory was the 20th straight at home for WWU, ranked No.20 in this week's National Soccer Coaches Association of America NCAA Division II Top 25 Poll and No.1 in the West Region rating. The Vikings remain unbeaten at 13-0-2 overall and atop the GNAC at 9-0-2, having already clinched a berth in the four-team GNAC post-season tournament

SPU, which tied WWU 1-1 on Sept. 20, fell to 8-4-2 overall and 6-3-2 in GNAC action. The Vikings, who had a 22-8 advantage in shots, had their best spell of the game early in the second half, controlling possession and territory, and it finally paid off 11 minutes after halftime.

Stephanie Hamilton (Jr., Orting/Bellarmine Prep) played a ball over the top of the SPU defense to Elise Aylward (So., Renton/Lindburgh). Alyward played a low cross from a tight angle on the left that SPU goalkeeper Alexa Hughes dived to deflect, but Klinkenburg arrived at the far post to tap the rebound in for her first collegiate goal.

"The game had been very open in the first half, and we had some chances, but we were rushing them," said WWU coach Travis Connell (12th year, 154-61-22). "We talked at halftime about being more composed, and I thought we were more dangerous in the second half."

From there, WWU's defense held firm, not allowing the Falcons a shot on target in the second half.

"We wanted to keep the game in our attacking half, and the pressuring by our forwards helped us do that, and in the back, Katherine Miccile (Sr., Kent/Kentlake) did a great job of locking down their top threats in the second half. It was a real team effort all around."

WWU has allowed just four goals this season, one of those an own goal.

Ashley Haden (Jr., Brush Prairie/Hockinson) made four saves, all in the first half, as the Vikings posted their 11th shutout of the season.

The Vikings' 20-game home field winning streak dates back to the start of the 2013 season. The school record is 25, set from 1981 to 1986.

WWU concludes its four-game home stand on Saturday, Oct. 25 (7 p.m.), against Central Washington in a GNAC counter that is Senior Night.

Thursday, Oct. 23, 2014 Bellingham, Wash., Harrington Field, WWU Campus

Western Washington 1, Seattle Pacific 0

Scoring - 1. WWU, Lexi Klinkenberg (Elise Aylward, Stephanie Hamilton), 56:03.

Shots - WWU 22, SPU 8 Saves - WWU 4 (Ashley Haden 4); SPU 7 (Alexa Hughes 7) Corner kicks - WWU 7, SPU 1 Fouls - WWU 12, SPU 8 Attendance: 353