Box Score

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — While the result wasn't perfect, the effort was pleasing for coach Mary Trigg.

Playing the Great Northwest Athletic Conference front-running Vikings on their home field, Trigg's Northwest Nazarene women's soccer team gave Western Washington a battle all game in a 2-0 setback Saturday afternoon.

"We worked hard today," NNU's head women's soccer coach, Trigg, said. "Our midfield was fantastic and showed what a great future we have on this team.

"The difference between teams today was depth and composure in front of goal," she added.

The Vikings (12-0-2 overall, 8-0-2 GNAC) composure in front led to a goal with 4 minutes, 5 seconds gone in the game when Catherine Miles scored, and a second goal in the 25^th minute when Jessica Bertucci made it 2-0.

That was all the Crusaders (4-7-3, 3-6-1) allowed to a Vikings squad that just last week was ranked No. 19 in the nation.

And NNU battled to try and get back into the game on the scoreboard, testing Vikings goalkeeper Ashley Haden and forcing her to make six saves in the contest.

"I'm proud that we created chances for ourselves and that we can compete with an undefeated team and top team in the country," Trigg said.

On the other end of the field, Daniele Ortiz stopped nine shots for the Crusaders, who now return home for a four-game home-stand that begins with NNU hosting Western Oregon on Thursday.