McMINNVILLE, Ore. - Whitworth earned a key victory in the hunt for the NWC title on Sunday as 10 players recorded at least one goal or one assist in a 5-0 win at Linfield.

Whitworth (14-1-3, 9-1-3 NWC) now sits alone atop the NWC standings with one regular season match remaining, and can clinch the conference title with a win next weekend.

The Pirates began Saturday in third place, just behind Willamette and Puget Sound in the standings. Both the Bearcats and Loggers lost Sunday and Whitworth's win moved the Pirates into first place with 30 points, just ahead of Willamette (29 points) and Puget Sound (28 points). Each team has one conference match remaining on the regular season schedule.

All five Whitworth goals came within a 20 minute span. Rylan Berriman opened the scoring in the 33rd minute, finishing from close range for his sixth goal of the season off an assist from Robby Ubben. 

Just under 10 minutes later, Karl Muelheims took advantage of a ball saved and then lost by the Linfield goalkeeper, scoring from close range for his sixth goal of the season. Jonah Snyder assisted the play.

Kash Choudhary netted his second goal of the year less than two minutes after Muelheims' goal, scoring off a long cross from Tyler Clarke. Sam Engle was also credited with an assist on the goal, getting a touch on the ball as it bounced through the box to Choudhary.

The Whitworth momentum continued after halftime as Snyder scored from seven yards out off an asssist from Johnny Thayer in the 49th minute. Matt Bray scored the fifth Whitworth goal in the 51st minute, blasting a shot to the upper right corner of the net on a play that began with a free kick sent into the box. Caleb Bia assisted the goal. 

A Linfield player was given his second yellow card in the 32nd minute, leaving Linfield to play a man down for a majority of the match. 

The Pirates held a 20-9 shot advantage, including a 12-2 edge in shots on goal. Timmy Costa made two saves in the shutout effort before being replaced by Tony Watters late in the second half.

Whitworth earned its fifth shutout win of the year and tied a season-high mark with six assists.

The Pirates have a chance to clinch the NWC title with a win next Saturday at Whitman. Willamette will play Linfield while Puget Sound will battle Pacific Lutheran on the final day of conference action.