NAMPA, Idaho – While the score line was the same as their last game against each other, Northwest Nazarene's 2-0 loss Thursday to Western Washington had a different feel.

The Nighthawks hung with the Vikings, who are ranked No. 2 in the West Region, holding them to six shots on goal compared to 10 last time in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference matchup.

"We played so much better than last time," NNU coach Mary Trigg said. "We had a good game plan, but against a good team they scored the chances they got and we didn't score our chances.

"Soccer is a matter of who finishes their chances."

Zoe Milburn opened the scoring in the seventh minute, scoring on a shot that just cleared Chloe Sholtz's hands and stayed under the bar. The Vikings (14-2-1 overall, 10-1-1 GNAC) got their second goal in the 58th minute when Emily Nelson headed home Liv Larson's corner kick.

Despite the goals, Trigg was pleased with her defense's effort as a host of freshmen played big minutes.

"I was so impressed with our individual defending and our fight," she said. "It was a much more fun game to be a part of then the last game we played in. There is lots to build on. So many freshmen came and played big for us because we had a lot of injuries. Our bench stepped up."

Corinnah Schaefer and Rikki Myers each had a shot on goal.

The Nighthawks close their season at 4 p.m. Saturday against Simon Fraser. Seniors Kaisa Tsuruta, Madi Taylor, Sholtz and Olivia Carter will be honored before the game.