Box Score Contact: Mark Albanese, Director of Sports Communication
TACOMA, Wash. - Machaela Graddy provided the lone score late in the second half, propelling the 22nd-ranked Pacific Lutheran University women's soccer team to a 1-0 victory over Whitworth University on Saturday in the Northwest Conference opener for both squads.
The Lutes (4-0-1, 1-0 NWC) dominated possession throughout the game but was unable to punch one through the net until the 84th minute when Graddy zig-zagged through the Pirate (1-4, 0-1 NWC) defense and blasted a shot inside the box for what was ultimately the lone goal of the contest.
"I think we were a little frustrated at the half that we hadn't scored yet despite some really good opportunities but we talked about just keeping our composure and the goal is to be one goal better at the end of the day. On another day it could have been more but today it was just one goal and we need to keep working on the process," said Head Coach Seth Spidahl.
The Lute defense kept the Pirates at bay, allowing just two shots all game with none on goal. Goalkeeper Takara Mitsui played all 90 minutes in net, collecting her fourth shutout of the season as the Lutes have now gone 320 consecutive minutes without conceding a score.
"We have a very experienced backline with four seniors playing major minutes. We're very lucky to have the experience back there but I also look at it as the team is defending well. Everybody in our system has to do their job defensively including the midfielders and forwards and we need to continue to keep that up."
PLU owned a commanding 16-2 edge in shots during the game, including all four on target while holding a 7-1 advantage in corner kicks taken. Liz Griffith nearly broke the deadlock in the 73rd minute with a shot that ricocheted off the right post and back into play before Graddy put the game away 11 minutes later.
The Lutes close out their homestand on Sunday, facing Whitman College at noon on the turf at East Field.
