FOREST GROVE, Ore. — The eight-time defending Northwest Conference Champion Pacific Lutheran University women's soccer team saw its shutout streak snapped but kept its unbeaten run intact, earning a 1-1 draw on the road on Sunday against Pacific University.

The two squads battled to a scoreless first half. Kiana Gutierrez broke up the shutout in the 70th minute, scoring her third goal of the year off a pass from Paige Alamanza. The Lutes (10-2-6, 10-0-4 NWC) held the lead until the 84th minute when the host Boxers (4-7-7, 3-5-7 NWC) were awarded a penalty kick. Abby Winkler stopped Mirella Garcia's initial attempt but Garcia collected the rebound and scored to make it a 1-1 game, a scoreline that would hold over the final six minutes. 

The Pacific goal snapped a 693-minute shutout streak for the Lutes, a streak spanning across eight games while PLU's stingy defense allowed just one goal over the entire month of October.

"It was a tough result today. We had a rough first half but made some good adjustments at halftime. Kiana scored a great goal and we were on our way to what looked like another 1-0 win and then an unfortunate penalty kick. Abby made a great save but the shooter followed up with a rebound. It was a tough tie but credit to Pacific. They're a much improved program and its a very difficult system to play against," said Head Coach Seth Spidahl.

PLU was outshot 20-12 during the game with the Boxers owning a slim 10-9 edge in shots on goal.

Abby Winkler made nine saves on the day, playing all 90 minutes in goal. Pacific's Kylie Pascual tallied eight saves. 

Today's tie coupled with University of Puget Sound's 2-0 win over Linfield University puts the two Tacoma rivals in a tie for first place in the NWC standings with two games remaining in the regular season. PLU and Puget Sound both finish the regular season next weekend at home against the Whits.

"I told the team we have a week left to play and everything to play for. Most programs would be grateful to have something to play for the last week of the season which we do. We need to move forward and get ready for a big week."

PLU hosts Whitworth University on Saturday and close the regular season by hosting Whitman College on Sunday. Both games at East Field are set for 11 a.m.