NEWBERG, Ore. - Lucy Skugstad notched three goals and Savannah McNichol and Katie Whittingham teamed up for 12 saves for Whitman College Sunday at the Austin Sports Complex but host George Fox University was able to take a 16-7 win from the visiting Missionaries in the final came of the program's initial varsity season.

Though the loss ended the season on a losing note Whitman (2-6, 2-6 NWC) still reveled in what will be judged as nothing less than a successful opening campaign under head coach Kate Robinson.

Sunday's game against the Bruins got off to a rough start for the Missionaries as George Fox notched five unanswered goals through the game's first seven minutes.

A goal from Bea Sheffer at the 11:54 mark picked up the spirits of the Missionaries, though, as they added two more tallies to pull within 5-3. One minute after Sheffer's 29th of the spring teammate Maddy Poehlein scored her first of the season. Exactly one minute later Skugstad added her 19th to complete the three-goal spurt.

A four-goal streak from the Bruins closed out the opening half, giving the home team some breathing room against the challenge from the newcomers.

Nina Henelsmith won the opening draw control of the second half and was able to get the ball to Sarah Edwards who fed Anna Melville for a goal from within the 8-meter line just 21 seconds in. Unfortunately for Whitman the Bruins responded with an identical play on the ensuing draw control to steal back the momentum.

That George Fox goal was the first of five straight that effectively iced the game for the home team. Skugstad added two ,free position goals and Edwards came up with her seventh of the year in the remaining minutes but the deficit was just too large to overcome.

Despite being in just their first season, playing only a Northwest Conference schedule, the Missionaries finished in the middle of the pack in several statistical categories within the league including draw controls, ground balls and free position attempts.

The program graduates just two seniors and gain a full recruiting cycle worth of recruits to continue the momentum built through its opening season.