NEWBERG, Ore. – Machaela Graddy found the net less than four minutes into the match, and that's all Pacific Lutheran needed as the Lutes defeated George Fox 1-0 in Northwest Conference women's soccer action Sunday afternoon.

Pacific Lutheran's sixth shutout in eight matches this season improved the Lutes' record to 6-1-1 overall and 2-1-1 in conference play. George Fox fell to 3-4-2 overall and 1-3-1 in the NWC. The Lutes head to eastern Washington next weekend to take on Whitman Oct. 3 and Whitworth Oct. 4.

"I thought we played very well today," PLU head coach Seth Spidahl said. "We really kept good possession of the ball. As usual, every Northwest Conference opponent is tough, and this game was no different. George Fox is a much-improved program, so credit to Cory for the work he has done."

Graddy's first shot of the day proved to be the game-winner as she took a pass from Jamie Hoffman in the box and knocked it in for her fifth goal of the year in the fourth minute of play. The Lutes maintained pressure throughout the rest of the match, finishing the day with an 18-11 shot advantage and forcing George Fox goalkeeper Morgan Bars to make six saves.

Takara Mitsui made two saves while earning the 16th shutout of her career, giving her the fourth-most shutouts in PLU women's soccer history. The win made it seven victories in a row for the Lutes against the Bruins and set PLU in a tie for third place in the NWC standings with seven points after the first four matches of conference play.

"It was a tightly-contested game until the final whistle," Spidahl said. "Anytime you can win on the road, it's always a positive result."