INDEPENDENCE, Ore. – Playing in stormy conditions on the turf at Central High School, Western Oregon battled well against the top-ranked team in the nation. Riding the momentum of an early goal and stellar defense, No. 1 Western Washington posted a 2-0 shutout victory over the Wolves on Thursday afternoon in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.
 
The Vikings (12-0-1, 7-0-0 GNAC) were led by a 12^th minute goal from Caitlyn Jobanek and added insurance in the 82^nd minute on a score from Payton Chick.
 
Western Oregon (4-9-0, 1-7-0 GNAC) were limited to five shots, but had two great looks in the second half. Mere minutes after checking in, Sydney Thomas spun away from her defender and took a shot that missed wide and had another attempt blocked away. After the Vikings took their 2-0 lead, Meli Cortez fired right at 83:00, must missed above the crossbar in the team's final challenge of the match.
 
Freshman keeper Caitlin Kastelic made five saves in the contest. Cortez and Thomas each had two shots while Kaili Brundage had the other for WOU.
 
Western Oregon will have the weekend off before traveling to Portland to face Condordia on Tuesday, Oct. 18.