PORTLAND, Ore. --- The No. 25 Pepperdine Waves scored a goal in the first half and added another after the break to claim a 2-0 win over the Portland Pilots in a West Coast Conference women's soccer match played on Sunday afternoon at Merlo Field. The game was the last at home this season for the Pilots, who honored their two seniors, Hanna Armendariz and Rachel Lusby, with a pre-game ceremony.
 
The match-up featured two of the top defensive teams in the conference, and it looked that way early as both sides did well to limit the other's chances. Natalie Muth provided Portland's first shot of the game, which was a well-hit attempt from distance that was saved by Pepperdine's Brielle Preece, the reigning WCC Goalkeeper of the Year.
 
The Waves then broke scoreless tie in the 37th minute after the Pilots were called for a foul inside the 18-yard box, and the head referee pointed to the spot. Pepperdine's Hailey Harbison capitalized on the PK when she tucked it away for her first goal of the year, which made it a 1-0 contest.
 
Still leading 1-nil in the second half, Brie Welch added some insurance when she hit a low, driven shot inside the left post. Devyn Gilfoy assisted on the goal, which was Welch's third of the season.
 
From there the Pilots attempted to pull one back, and Jasmine Garibay nearly got on the end of a perfectly played through ball from Ellie Walker. But Preece came off her line to challenge, denying Garibay's opportunity.
 
Moments later Taryn Ries had possession inside the area and got off a decent attempt, but it was blocked by a Pepperdine defender as the Waves could go on to register their conference-best ninth shutout of the fall.
 
The Pilots enter the final weekend of the year with an 11-8-0 overall record, and they sit at an even 4-4-0 in the WCC. The 11 wins are the most for Portland since collecting 17 victories in 2013. Pepperdine runs their current unbeaten streak to six games, improving to 10-6-2 and 5-1-2 in the league.
 
On Saturday the Pilots will be in Spokane, Wash., for the finale against Gonzaga, with kickoff at Luger Stadium set for 7 p.m.