TACOMA, Wash. – Pacific Lutheran University women's soccer senior Kelly Brown picked a good time to score her first career goal in the Lutes 1-0 victory over Whitworth University on Saturday. 

"We didn't have our best performance, but we're gritty and showed a high level of character to find a way to win," said PLU Head Coach Seth Spidahl.  "Sometimes in a season you have to just find a way. It was very cool that all the seniors played and Kelly Brown scored her first collegiate goal as a senior on Senior Day."
 
In the 80^th minute, sophomore Ellie Reardon launched a free kick into the box, that was punched away by the Pirate keeper, but Brown was at the right place at the right time and launched a shot into the back of the net for the game-winning goal on Senior Day. 
 
Cassidy Crosswhite got the start in goal for PLU and made a save in her 62 minutes of action, before Ashton Huppert came in for relief.  Huppert made three stops the rest of the way as the two seniors combined for the 47^th shutout for the Lute defense over the senior class' last four years and fifth in the last six matches.    

"Senior Day for our program is always a very special day to honor our four-year players," said Spidahl.  "Shout out to our team and the parents for making the day special and memorable."
 
Senior Maddie Landreth produced the other shot on goal for PLU on the afternoon, but the total shot total was an even 9-9. 
 
The Lutes (4-3-1, 4-3-1 NWC) are now over .500 for the first time this season and have 2-0-1 record against Whitworth on the year.  In three matches, PLU has yet to surrender a goal to the Pirates.  The two teams will meet for the fourth and final time tomorrow morning at 11:00 a.m.