WALLA WALLA, Wash. – Clara Merlino's goal in the game's fourth minute held up over the rest of the afternoon as Whitman College's women's soccer team downed visiting Pacific (Ore.) University, 2-0, in Northwest Conference action Sunday afternoon under less than ideal conditions at the Whitman Athletic Fields.

Early rain and high winds failed to hinder Whitman (8-7-2, 6-5-2 NWC) which scored on the first shot of the game to put Pacific (5-10-1, 2-9-1) in catch-up mode the remainder of the day.

Lena de Guzman slotted a perfect thru ball to a streaking Merlino crossing into the Missionaries' attacking third. The well-paced roller allowed Merlino to race past a pair of Boxers defenders and face off against Pacific goalkeeper Kristina Morris who was left with no choice but to come out off her line to challenge the charging Merlino.

One quick side-step from Merlino past a diving Morris left a yawning net ahead which Merlino filled easily to push Whitman ahead at the 3:08 mark. The goal was Merlino's third of the season.

The Missionaries picked up an insurance score in the second half with Danielle Wieck's fourth goal of the season.

Continued pressure in the attacking end allowed Brianna Brown to get a good look on frame. Her shot rocketed off the crossbar and rebounded out into the box where Wieck pounded her shot into the netting in the early seconds of the 70th to push the Missionaries' advantage to two.

Pacific refused to give up, though, and finally found some pressure from its attack in the late going.

Whitman goalie Haley Case was forced to come up with saves twice in a span of 32 seconds.

A sharp breakaway by the Boxers' Kathleen McIntyre left her alone with just Case to beat. Case came out to challenge and was in good position to deflect the point block McIntyre shot outside of the right post at 79:34.

The corner kick that ensued ended up in McIntyre's feet again for another shot but Case stoned her again at 80:08 to preserve the shutout.

Case finished with six saves in a game that Whitman registered a 15-10 shots advantage over the Boxers. Pacific's Morris took the loss after coming up with four stops.

The season continues on the road Friday and Saturday for Whitman. A trip to Lewis & Clark College begins the weekend on Nov. 1 followed by another NWC game Sunday, at Willamette University.