LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Alex Nicholson and Elissa Minamishin were more than a handful offensively for the Occidental College women's soccer team Saturday, combining four goals on 17 shots in a 5-0 victory over Whittier College.

What was more impressive, was when one scored, the other was almost always involved.

Nicholson and Minamishin were nearly telepathic all game, with each assisting on at least one of the other's goals in a 5-0 victory for Occidental (3-5, 3-2). Minamishin finished with two goals and two assists and Nicholson had pair of goals and one assist.

After a missed penalty kick and an open break away that inexplicably went wide right, Minamishin redeemed herself with an assist to Nicholson through multiple defenders in the 20^th minute. Nicholson faked out the Whittier goalkeeper and delivered a soft, bouncing shot into the net.

After constant pressure by Occidental's front line, Nicholson and Minamishin connected again for an easy goal off of a cross to the back post by Nicholson.

Going into halftime the Tigers were ahead 2-0 and appeared to be firmly in control of the game. It was not enough for coach Colm McFeely, though.

"At halftime the game could have easily been 5-2," McFeely said. "Whittier had a couple looks they should have put away.

"I was frustrated with how we played in the first half. We were not running our system well and were getting caught offside too many times. This is something we have focused on in practice, but still were caught doing."

The Tigers apparently got the message during halftime.

Kellee Murayama found the back of the net in the 58^th minute with a left-footed floater. A few minutes later Nicholson linked up with Minamishin again for Nicholson's second goal of the game.

Minamishin concluded her night with her ninth goal of the season in the 85^th minute, assisted by Kate Corell-Buss.

"I was really pleased with Murayama tonight," said McFeely. "She was the hub of the center midfield. Her ability to get on ball and playing balls to others was key. I'm glad she was rewarded for all the hard work she put into facilitating the game."

Occidental's victory may appear to be a blow out against a winless opponent, but for the Tigers it was a step forward as a cohesive unit.

"I was more pleased with the second half. We were more composed, we moved the ball better, and we made better choices," McFeely said. "This was a team victory tonight."