Tuesday, October 2, 2012

PORTLAND, Ore. - Western Washington goalkeeper Jamie Arthurs has seven shutouts this season and now has 30 career shutouts, one shy of the WWU and GNAC records of 31 set by Teresa Fish between 2003 and 2005 and in 2007.

Arthurs is tied for the GNAC shutout lead with Montana State Billings keeper Alexandria Johnson.  Arthurs also ranks ninth among NCAA Division II players in goals against (0.40).   

Johnson ranks 13th nationally in goals against (0.50) and 22nd in save percentage (.872).  Team-wise, Western Washington ranks fourth in goals against (0.40) and MSUB ranks 14th (0.50).  The two teams are tied for sixth nationally in shutout percentage (.700).  They are also tied for first place in the GNAC with 5-1 conference records.

The Vikings have outscored their opponents 17-0 in five home games this fall and have posted 11 consecutive home shutouts dating back to a 1-0 win over Central Washington on Sept. 17, 2011.  WWU has outshot its five home opponents 97-31 and has had a 47-6 advantage in shots on goal.

Arthurs will be shooting for her 31st career shutout this Thursday when the Vikings, who are ranked fifth in this week's NSCAA West Regional poll, play at Simon Fraser, which has scored just three goals in nine contests.  WWU plays at Central Washington on Sunday.

Montana State Billings, which is ranked sixth in the West Regional poll and is among "others receiving votes" in the NSCAA national poll, hosts Northwest Nazarene on Thursday and Western Oregon on Saturday. 

Seattle Pacific is also ranked in the regional poll at No. 8.  The Falcons play at Central Washington Thursday and host Simon Fraser Saturday.

NCAA National Statistics (Sept. 30): Team (Top 30):  Scoring – 22. Western Washington 2.70.  Goals Against – 4. Western Washington 0.40; 14. MSU Billings 0.50. Shutout PCT. – 6. MSU Billings and Western Washington .700. Save PCT. – 20. MSU Billings .872.  Individuals (Top 30):  Goals Against – 9. Jamie Arthurs, WWU, 0.40; 13. Alexandria Johnson, MSU Billings, 0.50.   Save PCT. – 22. Alexandra Johnson, MSUB, .872.