TACOMA – A scoreless match through the first half came down to one goal in the second period as No. 25 Puget Sound claimed a 1-0 Northwest Conference women's soccer win over cross-town rival Pacific Lutheran Wednesday afternoon at Peyton Field.

Pacific Lutheran falls to 8-4-5 overall and 6-2-5 in conference play with the loss, while Puget Sound improves to 12-2-2 overall and 10-1-2 in the NWC to move one point ahead of Linfield atop the conference standings. The Lutes return to action Saturday, hosting Pacific in an 11 a.m. matchup.

"I was very proud of ou group today," PLU head coach Seth Spidahl said. "We battled and competed very well, just one slight concentration letdown in the second half led to their goal, but their right back made a fantastic run so credit to her."

The Puget Sound offense maintained pressure throughout the match, out-shooting Pacific Lutheran 8-to-1 in each period for a total shot advantage of 16-2. PLU's defense stifled the UPS offense for the most part, however, limiting the Loggers to only two shots on goal. Unfortunately for PLU, one of those shots on goal found its way into the net.

"We gave ourselves a chance until the end, and we finished the game with a near breakaway goal," Spidahl said. "Their defender slid and knocked it away just in time."

That goal came in the 67th minute of play, when Grayson Williams-Krebs knocked it in off a pass from Liz Blonden. Kaylie Rozell gave the Lutes their lone on-target shot of the game, giving PLU its best scoring chance in the 40th minute of competition. Marisa Gonzalez played all 90 minutes in goal for the Lutes, finishing the match with one save.

"They haven't lost all year at home, so it is a tough place to play," Spidahl said. "We competed well and still have everything to play for with three games left in our season."