BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The No. 18 nationally-ranked Western Washington University women's soccer team extended its unbeaten streak to seven consecutive matches with a 2-0 shutout victory over Montana State Billings Thursday evening in Great Northwest Athletic Conference action at Harrington Field.
 
WWU improved to 10-2-1 overall and remains tied with Simon Fraser in 2^nd place in the GNAC with a 5-1-1 mark. MSUB dropped to 4-7-1 overall and 1-6-0 in conference play.
 
The Vikings allowed only two shots in goal in the 90-minute contest, both coming in the second half, while posting the seventh shutout of the season.
 
The Vikings wasted little time getting on the board, when sophomore forward Talia Daigle (Edmonds, WA/Archbishop Murphy) scored in the 9^th minute. Junior defender Peyton Chick (Renton, WA/Kentridge) threaded a ball across the top of the box, where Daigle one-timed it low drive from 19-yards out inside the left post.
 
"We continue to talk about striking early and that's part of our game plan…it was a perfectly-executed goal that got us out to a good start," said head coach Travis Connell.  
While WWU dominated the first half not allowing a shot by the Yellowjackets, the score remained 1-0 until the 88^th minute.
 
Sophomore forward Zoe Milburn (Maple Valley, WA/Tahoma) scored at the 87:41 mark when she finished to the far post from 9-yards out. Sophomore midfielder Darby Doyle (Spokane, WA/Gonzaga Prep) set up the goal with a pass into the box for her second assist of the season.
 
"I was impressed with how we didn't get frustrated throughout the game despite dominating play," added Connell. "We stuck with our plan and were rewarded with a well-deserved late goal by Zoe (Milburn)."
 
Redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Natalie Dierickx (Kirkland, WA/Inglemoor) made a pair of saves while recording her fourth clean sheet of the season. Senior center back Hattie North (Bellingham, WA) stepped into a starting role and played all 90 minutes of the shutout.
 
"I thought Hattie did a great job tonight, playing all 90 minutes, and was rock-solid," said Connell.
 
WWU out-shot the Yellowjackets 33-2 in the game, with MSUB sophomore goalkeeper Erinn Harder recording a season-high 8 saves.
 
The Vikings remain at home hosting Northwest Nazarene (7-5-1, 3-5-0 GNAC) on Saturday night at Harrington Field (7 pm). The annual March to the Match begins at 6:30 pm at the WWU Campus Recreation Center, with the pre-march gathering beginning at 6 pm, with free soccer scarf giveaways with a game ticket or Viking Territory Pass (while supplies last).
 
MATCH NOTES...WWU is unbeaten in its last 7 games (6-0-1)…tied for 2^nd in the GNAC with a 5-1-1 conference record…Hattie North made her first start as a Viking and played all 90 minutes…Talia Daigle became the 12^th Viking to score a goal this season (22 total goals)…Vikings have allowed only 2 goals during the current 7-game unbeaten streak, and one goal over the last 567:24.

FOLLOW THE VIKS…fans can follow WWU women's soccer online at WWUVikings.com/WSoc, and via social media on Twitter (@WWU_WSoccer), Instagram (@wwu_wsoccer) and Facebook (@WWUsoccerwomens).
 
UPDATED GNAC STANDINGS…