WALLA WALLA, Wash. A goal from Lena de Guzman late in the 12th minute stood up over the remainder of the game as Whitman hung on to down visiting George Fox University, 1-0, in a rainy and cold Northwest Conference women's soccer match Saturday at the Whitman Athletics Complex.

The victory lifts Whitman's overall record to 2-13-2 and improves its league mark to 2-9-2 while the Bruins drop to 3-11-3 and 3-8-2, respectively.

The game-winner came at the 11:57 mark following consistent pressure by Whitman in its attacking third.

Moments earlier a Kenz Tierney header off a corner kick nearly broke the scoreless tie but her flick trailed off wide left of the frame. Trying to flip the field Fox ended up turning the ball over at midfield near its right touch line. Whitman possession on the quick transition eventually found its way to the feet of defender Olivia Thomson who had helped create the turnover and pushed up field to help in the attack.

Thomson drove in from the touch line toward the near post, drawing Bruins goalkeeper Morgan Bars over, but Thomson saw de Guzman breaking into the top, left corner of the box having placed her defender on her back shoulder.

The pass from Thomson was a perfect lead for de Guzman who pounded a quick release into the right side of the goal before Bars could recover. The score was de Guzman's third of the year and the assist was Thomson's first.

The threat of rain loomed overhead even before warm-ups began Saturday, with heavy, wet fog filling the athletics complex. As if on cue the rain began with the opening whistle and increased its patter over the course of the first half.

There was more than the occasional slip and slide due to the conditions, but both teams were still able to generate a back and forth affair that finished with 29 shots, 19 from the visitors and 10 by the home team.

Whitman goalie Haley Case preserved the tenuous lead and finished the contest with a shutout -- her first of the season -- after coming up with five saves. Bars took the loss for Fox after registering three saves on the soggy afternoon.

The home slate for Whitman concludes Sunday at noon with a Senior Day celebration preceding the conference contest against visiting Lewis & Clark College.

Six seniors -- Cassidy Brewin, Case, de Guzman, Elyse Laurin, Naomi Lee and Emma Onstad-Hawes -- will be recognized in a brief ceremony before the game.