WALLA WALLA, Wash. -- (From Dave Holden, Whitman SID) Jael Hagerott's penalty kick in the 25th minute was the difference as Whitworth slipped past Whitman 1-0 Saturday afternoon in Northwest Conference women's soccer action at the Whitman Athletic Fields.

Hagerott's PK was the match winner

The Pirates maintained their grip on second place in the NWC, upping their record to 6-1-1. The Missionaries, who play Sunday afternoon at Lewis & Clark in Portland, are 1-3-3 in conference play.

Whitworth outshot Whitman 13-6, although the Pirates put just three shots on goal, one more than the Missionaries. The home team missed a golden opportunity to take the early lead when Missionary forward Sammie Arthur, just three minutes into the game, bounced a shot on goal from the far right side. Whitworth keeper Leah Motz was in no position to make the save, but Arthur's shot was cleared by a Pirate defender.

Hagerott's penalty kick came after a Whitman defender's slide tackle came too late, knocking down a Pirate attacker. It was her fourth of the season.

With 20 minutes left in the second half, Whitman nearly scored the equalizer on a crossing pass from Kristen Mittelsteadt. Corina Gabbert, slicing to the goal from the right side, nudged an uncontested header just wide of the near post.

The Pirates' win set up a showdown next weekend at first place Willamette at noon on Saturday afternoon.