SPOKANE – With its eighth shutout in 10 matches, the Pacific Lutheran women's soccer team capped the first half of the 2015 season Sunday with a 2-0 Northwest Conference road win over Whitworth.

Pacific Lutheran's win improved the Lutes' record to 8-1-1 overall and 4-1-1 in conference play, while Whitworth fell to 5-6 overall and 3-4 in the NWC. The Lutes' record is the team's best through 10 matches since the 1988 NAIA championship squad opened the season with 12 straight wins.

"We had a really good second half today," PLU head coach Seth Spidahl said. "We created some great opportunities in looking for the second goal. It didn't come until the 88th minute, but I was proud of how our team responded after a missed PK. It was a crucial moment in the game, but we showed great maturity and poise, and it motivated the group."

Ashley Mindnich got PLU on the board just before halftime, taking a cross from Krista Morford and knocking it in from five yards out to give the Lutes a 1-0 lead in the 40th minute of play. After winning the previous two matches 1-0, the Lutes had a chance to keep that streak of close victories going. But with a 9-5 second-half shot advantage, PLU maintained the offensive pressure throughout in search of that second goal.

It seemed like PLU would pick that goal up early in the second period on a penalty kick attempt, but Whitworth goalkeeper Andrea Stump saved Kelly White's shot and maintained the one-score match. Jamie Hoffman finally gave the Lutes a bit of breathing room with less than two minutes to play, as she took a cross from Kelsey Hathaway on the left and scored from nine yards out to the left side of the net.

"Whitworth came out strong with a lot of energy and passion, but I think we matched it and I was happy we got a couple goals today," White said. "We had a ton of chances on goal and played solid defense against a physical team. Each game we play we're becoming closer as a team and fighting for each other more and more, which is more important than any other aspect of the game when times get tough."

Takara Mitsui earned her eighth shutout of the season after making four saves for the Lutes. For PLU the win marked the second straight season the Lutes have swept the eastern Washington road trip after not achieving the feat since 2015.

"This capped off a great weekend for our program," Spidahl said. "There are not many teams that are going to come over here and go 2-0, so full credit to the players and the team."

PLU returns home next weekend for its next two matches. The Lutes host Linfield Saturday at 12 p.m., with Pacific coming to town the following day.