MONMOUTH --- The Western Oregon women's soccer team got a goal by true freshman Emma Higashi early in the second half and made it stand as the Wolves defeated Stanislaus State 1-0 Friday afternoon at WOU Turf Field in their season opener.

WOU and the Warriors (0-1) played a scoreless first half before quick feet on defense early in the second half led to the WOU goal. Gabby Warta just outside the penalty area poked the ball away from an SSU player right to Higashi in the run and she had a one-on-one with the approaching keeper - beating her to the right to make it 1-0 in the 52nd minute.

The Wolves made it stand as WOU keeper Sophia Pierce finished with five saves in the contest. The Warriors out shot the Wolves 11-10, but WOU had more shots on goal (8-6).

WOU returns to action 2 p.m. Sunday as it hosts Colorado Christian - which lost to Saint Martin's 1-0 in Monmouth in the game before the Wolves'.