SPOKANE, Wash. – Whitworth University grabbed sole possession of first place in the Northwest Conference men's soccer standings on Saturday afternoon with a 3-0 win over visiting Puget Sound in a meeting of teams that were unbeaten in conference play.

The Pirates improved to 5-1-1 overall and 3-0 (9 points) in the NWC. The Loggers fell to 3-3, 2-1.

In the 35th minute JT Meyer (Sr., MF, Olympia, Wash.) bolted up the left side of the field and was able to take it all the way in to give the Bucs a 1-0 advantage.

Late in the second half Whitworth put the game away with a pair of quick goals. The first came at the 83 minute mark by Nate Spangler (Sr., MF, Rio Rancho, N.M.), his first on the year. Cameron Bushey (Sr., MF, Spokane, Wash.) made the assist on the play. The final score in the match also occurred in the 83rd minute. This time it was Sam Selisch who made the play (So., MF, Port Townsend, Wash.). Selisch put the ball in the net with a straight on shot from outside the box. Bushey and Robby Ubben (Fr., F, Gig Harbor, Wash.) shared the assist.

Cameron Bushey leads the team in assists with seven so far in 2011.

Whitworth outshot Puget Sound 13-3, including a 9-1 edge in shots on goal. Brian Sherpe (Sr., GK, Centennial, Colo.) only had to make one save to post his fourth shutout of the season.

The Pirates took over sole possession of first place in the NWC after Whitman fell to Pacific Lutheran Saturday 3-2 in Wall Walla, Wash.

Whitworth will turn around and welcome the Lutes of PLU to their home pitch at 2:30 PM on Sunday.