WALLA WALLA – Blake Warner's second-half goal proved to be the difference as the Pacific Lutheran women's soccer team shut out Whitman 1-0 to move into first place in the Northwest Conference and clinch its first eastern Washington road sweep since 2000.

Pacific Lutheran's fifth consecutive win was also the Lutes' third straight shutout and improved PLU's record to 7-2-1 overall and 5-1 in the NWC. With 15 points, PLU jumps Whitman (14) and Puget Sound (12) in the standings, as UPS lost to both Whitman and Whitworth over the weekend. Whitman falls to 6-3-2 overall and 4-1-2 in conference play.

The Lutes withstood an aggressive Whitman attack in the first half, as the Missionaries went into halftime with an 8-1 shot advantage but no goals to show for it. PLU reversed that trend after the break, out-shooting the Missionaries 5-0 in the second period. Warner finally broke through for the Lutes in the 66th minute of play, scoring the eventual game-winner in a shot from the top corner of the box.

Takara Mitsui picked up her fifth shutout of the season for PLU, while Whitman's Haley Case made one save to go with the one goal allowed to PLU. The Lutes return home next weekend and will look to extend their win streak against Linfield on Saturday and Willamette on Sunday. Both matches are set to kick off at 12 p.m.