Box Score
NAMPA, Idaho – The upset didn't happen for the Northwest Nazarene women.
The fourth-ranked Western Washington Vikings scored a trio of first-half goals and the Crusaders never caught up, falling 3-0 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference opener for both squads Thursday on the NNU campus.
"Today we didn't play up to our potential," NNU coach Mary Trigg said. "We were reactionary on the field and gave up first-half goals on simple marking."
Western Washington jumped in front early when Caitlyn Jobanek grabbed a failed clearing attempt, turned and fired a shot that went in off the hands of leaping NNU goalkeeper Argia Phillips with 15 minutes, 22 seconds gone off the game clock.
The Vikings (4-0 overall, 1-0 GNAC) then added goals when Brianna Jones headed home a corner kick by Ashton Griffen in the 30th minute and Stephanie Hamilton scored in the 41st minute off assists from Catherine Miles and Anna Geldenhuys.
That 3-0 lead held up as the Crusaders (1-3, 0-1) picked up their play in the second half, but couldn't find the back of the net against the Vikings, who have not been scored against this season.
"We got better defensively in the second half," said Trigg, whose team was outshot 16-2.
Phillips made three saves in goal for NNU, which returns to action Saturday when it hosts Simon Fraser at noon on Kid's Day. The first 150 kids under 18 get in free and receive a commemorative women's soccer poster that Crusader players will sign following the game.
Alyssa Beauchamp and Ashley Haden teamed up to earn the shutout, each playing a half in goal for the Vikings.
