Box Score
FOREST GROVE, Ore. – Nathanael Fleming scored late in the first half of a game in which Whitman College's men's soccer team owned a decided edge in possession, helping the Missionaries down host Pacific University, 1-0, in Northwest Conference play Saturday on the artificial turf at the Boxers' Hanson Stadium.

Fleming's second goal of the season allowed Whitman to even its overall record to 4-4 along with picking up its first league win of the year (1-2). Pacific falls to 3-5 and 0-3, respectively.

The Missionaries out shot the Boxers by a 7-1 count in the first half and by a 14-3 count for the day. The possession advantage started early as Whitman got off the first four shots of the game before surrendering Pacific its first.

It was Fleming who finally erased the zeroes off the scoreboard.

Teammate Daniel Kim dribbled to the top of the box in his attacking third and saw Fleming ahead. A short pass got to Fleming's feet 12 yards out and the junior turned and shot, beating Pacific goalkeeper Leyton Thommasen for a Whitman 1-0 advantage at the 42:29 mark.

The halftime lead would stand up over the final 45 minutes with the Missionaries continuing to dominate possession. Whitman goalie Stuart Ellsworth was forced to make a save not even three minutes into the half but that would be the last action -- and only action -- needed from the Missionaries netminder.

Thommasen played a large roll in Whitman not rolling up a larger margin of victory. The Pacific goalie came up with five stops on the afternoon, four of which were needed in the second half as the Missionaries were able to press the attack with the one-goal cushion provided by Fleming and Kim.

Whitman gets right back into action Sunday with another conference road game, heading to George Fox University to take on the Bruins in a 2:30 p.m. contest.