BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Following an even first half that left the teams scoreless, the Western Oregon University women's soccer team continued to stay with #8 Western Washington. After the Vikings got on the board, Piper Matson evened the score before a late goal sent Western Washington to the 2-1 victory in Great Northwest Athletic Conference action Saturday at Harrington Field.

Matson's goal in the 71^st minute was the first goal for the Wolves in the series against Western Washington since 2014. Despite WWU (5-0-2, 2-0-0 GNAC) holding a 21-10 edge in overall shots, the teams each landed six on goal. There were only four corner kicks in the game (3-1 WWU) and there were 26 fouls whistled with 17 called on the Wolves (1-5-0, 0-2-0 GNAC).

The one goal margin is the first in the series since a 1-0 decision in Monmouth in 2015 and the closest game in Bellingham since a 1-0 game in 2014.

Chloe Smith and Lilly Nowatzke led the Wolves with three shots apiece. Smith put two on goal and Nowatzke had one on target. Matson took just one shot during the game, but turned out to be a good one with her look being the goal for the Wolves.

Just over five minutes in, Holly Schmitz had an early look for WOU with a shot to the middle that was saved by Natalie Dierickx.

It would be awhile for either team to generate the next shot on goal with Camille Darland getting a shot off in the 30^th minute towards the middle that was saved by Dierickx.

The only shot of the first half that ended up on goal for the Vikings was in the 33^rd minute when Darien Walton turned away the chance.

Smith and Jada Foster each took shots the remainder of the half and WWU got a shot off as well, but neither team was able to get one on goal leaving the game scoreless at the break.

WWU had a couple of looks early in the second half, with a shot in the 52^nd minute being turned away by Walton.

WOU countered that rush with a couple of quick chances. On a ball that was sent out near the top of the box, the Wolves were able to get a shot off by Nowatzke that was saved by Dierickx out at the top of the box. On the rebound, Smith had a chance that was also saved to keep the game scoreless.

The Vikings put together another stretch around the 62^nd minute getting two shots that missed before Allison Lepp connected off a corner kick in the 66^th minute for the 1-0 lead.

It wouldn't take long for WOU to respond. Just five minutes later, Matson found the equalizer. Nowatzke took a couple of shots in the box with one going wide and the other blocked before the ball bounced to Matson on the left side and her shot to the lower right corner found the net to even the score at one in the 71^st minute.

Walton made a save in the 78^th minute and neither team was able to get much of a good look after that until WWU recorded the go-ahead goal.

In the 85^th minute, Darby Doyle was able to get around a couple of defenders and tuck a shot into the lower left corner for what would be the game-winning goal.

WOU wouldn't get another shot off over the final minutes as the Vikings held on for the 2-1 win.

Walton started in goal and played all 90 minutes coming away with four saves.

Doyle and Grace Eversaul led the Vikings with three shots apiece. Ashley Nguyen, Makenzie Burks, Katie Watt, Karina Provo, Tera Ziemer and Jenna Killman all added two shots. In goal, Dierickx started and went all 90 minutes coming away with five saves.

WOU returns home this week to host nationally-ranked Seattle Pacific on Thursday afternoon starting at 2 p.m. at the WOU Soccer Field. The Wolves will close the week with a Saturday morning home game against Montana State Billings beginning at 11 a.m.