Women's Soccer | 9/15/2011 5:38:00 PM

Box Score [Box score] [9.17 WOU vs. MSUB Game Notes]

MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University women's soccer team put on a showcase for the home fans as they scored three goals in route to a 3-0 victory over Northwest Nazarene, at the WOU Soccer Field on Thursday, Sept. 15th.

With the victory by the Wolves (2-2-1, 1-0-0 GNAC) they have three straight shutout victories. A feat that has not happened since 1997.

The Wolves shutout against Northwest Nazarene, gives senior goalie, Brittney Rigtrup, her third straight shutout on the season. She has now tied her season-high of three shutouts. An achievement she set as a freshman in 2007. She has also set a new record for herself of having all three shutouts come back-to-back. Rigtrup and the Wolves' defense have now held opponents scoreless over the past 290 minutes.

In the first half of play, the Wolves got their chance to capitalize on the defense that the Crusaders brought to the WOU home pitch. It was the teamwork of midfielder Kymberly Witmer and forward Marina Austin that gained the first goal of the match.

As Austin got a breakaway into the box in the 30th minute, Witmer sailed the ball across the field, only to have Austin bullet it to the back of the net. With this goal scored by Austin, it gave the Wolves a 1-0 lead, as well as Austin's first points on the season.

The Wolves were not done there, as they came out strong in the second half, scoring two more goals. The first goal of the half came from Austin once again. Her second goal came, as she was able to shoot the ball into the back left of the net, as she got the assist from Lauren Vieira.

As the match progressed, so did the Wolves strong defense. They continued to keep the Crusaders from gaining any momentum to score. In the 82nd minute, Katrina Kem saw an opening as she beat Northwest Nazarene's goalie to a loose ball that was lobbed over from Lindsay Bauman. Kem was able to push the ball past the goalie and roll it into the net to score what would be the Wolves' third goal of the match.

The last time the Wolves had three straight shutouts came as they won against Cascade 4-0 on the road, then beat Cascade at home, 8-0. The third shutout came when they defeated Concordia, 1-0 at home.

Western Oregon will welcome Montana State Billings, another GNAC opponent, Saturday, Sept. 17th, after a day off on Friday. Kickoff is at 11:00 a.m.