BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Northwest Nazarene battled Western Washington through more than 70 scoreless minutes before a second-half goal lifted the Vikings to a 1-0 victory Thursday night at Harrington Field.
The loss drops the Nighthawks to 0-4-1 overall and 0-1 in GNAC play, while Western Washington improves to 3-1-2 and 1-0 in conference action.
Western Washington applied pressure early, but NNU's defense kept the Vikings off the board throughout the opening 45 minutes. Alex Barrass made a pair of saves in the final 12 minutes of the half, while Elliana Kimball put NNU's best opportunity of the period on frame in the 41st minute.
The Nighthawks nearly found the breakthrough early in the second half when Attie Jo Westbrook put a shot on goal in the 53rd minute, but Western Washington goalkeeper Ellie McGowan made the save.
The Vikings continued to increase the pressure as the half went on before finally breaking through in the 73rd minute. Triya Mitchell made a run to the goal line and sent a cross into the box, where Bayla Abraham finished the chance to put Western Washington ahead 1-0.
NNU was unable to find the equalizer over the final 17 minutes as Western Washington held on for the one-goal victory.
Barrass helped keep the Nighthawks within striking distance throughout the match, playing all 90 minutes in goal and recording five saves. Kimball and Westbrook accounted for NNU's two shots on goal.
NNU will travel to Burnaby, B.C. to face Simon Fraser on Saturday, Sept. 19.
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