Shekema McCarthy scored the only goal of the match with just under 14 minutes remaining as the visiting Pacific Boxers defeated Pacific Lutheran, 1-0, in a Northwest Conference women's soccer match played on a sunny Saturday afternoon at the PLU field.

With the win, Pacific improves its overall record to 9-5-3 and its conference mark to 6-4-3. The loss drops PLU to 4-12 overall and 3-11 in the conference.

Except for some recent hard luck and a crossbar, senior midfielder Karli Hurlbut and the Lutes would have tied the score with about 10 minutes remaining. Following a Pacific foul, Hurlbut, one of five seniors honored prior to the match, struck a free kick that hit the underside of the cross bar just inches away from going into the goal. In a Wednesday loss at Puget Sound, Hurlbut was thwarted by the right post.

The Lutes managed just seven shots in the match to 16 for the Boxers, who put seven of those on frame. PLU keeper Lauren Chambard, another one of the seniors, recorded five of her six saves in the first half as Pacific fired 10 shots at the PLU goal.

The second half was more evenly played, but Pacific's offensive advantage finally paid off in the game's only goal. McCarthy's fourth tally of the season, set up by Jordan Bodily, came at 76:14.

PLU managed two more chances, including Hurlbut's free kick, but could not tie the score.

Brittany Hartman had one save for the Boxers, who were also credited with a team save. Pacific dominated in corner kicks, taking 10 to just one for the Lutes.

The Lutes close out their season next week with a pair of road games. They face George Fox at noon on Friday in a battle of teams tied for seventh in the conference, and then go against Linfield, which is tied with Puget Sound atop the NWC standings, at noon on Saturday.

- PLU -