Written by Student Assistant Christian Bond

SPOKANE, Wash. – Despite owning a 13-5 edge in shots, the 17th-ranked Pacific Lutheran University women's soccer team fell for the first time in Northwest Conference play since 2015, going down 1-0 to host Whitworth University on Sunday.

The Lutes (8-2, 5-1 NWC) got looks at the goal all day long. They shot the ball six times in the first half, following it up with seven more attempts in the second half and had the advantage in corner kicks as well. In all, the Lutes had five tries, getting four more than the Pirates (6-3-1, 5-0-1 NWC). Ultimately, it was a goal from Leah Corra in the 50th minute that did the Lutes in.

"Whitworth is a good team, they were excited for today," head coach Seth Spidahl said. "We defending well and created a lot of good chances on goal. We have been winning a lot of games 1-0, and today we just couldn't find the goal."

Natalie Robinson was solid in goal, saving four of the five shot attempts put up by Whitworth. The goal was the first given up by Robinson since Sept. 2nd against Messiah College, a streak of 717 consecutive minutes. Whitworth's Molly Webster tallied three saves to earn the clean sheet.

Nearing the midway point of the season, PLU sits second in conference with a 5-1 record. The goal form Whitworth today is the first the Lutes have allowed in conference play, giving them the lowest points against total in conference.

"Overall, I was happy with where we were at with our process throughout the weekend," Spidahl said. "We out statted both team's pretty heavily on the road. There are 10 games left in our conference season. I told the team that the conference isn't going to be won or lost today. We have a lot of work to do and still have everything to play for. The key for us is to take today and learn from it and grow from it."

The game snapped a 21-game PLU unbeaten streak in league play (18-0-3) with the Lutes previous in-conference setback coming in the 2015 season finale on Nov. 8 against Pacific University.

The Lutes return to East Field for two more games next weekend. The first happens on Saturday at noon against George Fox University. On Sunday, Lewis & Clark College pays a visit for a game that starts at noon.