Box Score WALLA WALLA, Wash. – Whitworth scored twice in the first half and added a third after halftime en route to a 3-1 win over Whitman on Saturday evening, clinching its second consecutive Northwest Conference title and an automatic berth to the NCAA tournament.
No. 9 Whitworth (16-1-1, 12-1-1 Northwest Conference) completed a season sweep of the Missionaries (3-13-2, 2-10-2) to capture its eighth NWC title over the last 12 seasons.
Karl Muelheims scored his NWC-leading 20th goal of the season in the sixth minute with a left-footed strike from 20 yards away, assisted from Sam Engle. Mulheims' goal set a new single-season record at Whitworth, as he passed John Gould (1988 – 19 goals) for most goals in a season.
"It was amazing to see how our guys came out," head coach Morgan Cathey said. "They were so determined right from the start that this was going to be our day."
The lead doubled in the 29th minute when Eric Espinoza finished from close range box off an assist from Rylan Berriman.
The Pirate defense kept the lead safe throughout the second half and Alfredo Ornelas increased the advantage to 3-0 in the 80th minute, heading home a cross from Jonah Snyder off a corner kick.
Whitman's Colin Faunt denied Whitworth's bid for a 12th shutout on the season with a goal in the 89th minute. The Missionaries applied consistent pressure during the match, firing 29 shots (eight on goal) but could not convert until late.
The Pirate defense, anchored by goalkeeper Timmy Costa (seven saves), stood strong throughout the match. Costa tied a season-high with his seven saves.
"Our process leads to great things and our guys are all bought in with their work rate and understanding," Cathey said. "We can get a lot better, but when it's good our guys are fantastic. I'm so proud of our guys -- they've been so stingy the whole year and Timmy (Costa) was so stingy today, he didn't give anything away."
Whitworth produced 12 shots in the match and put five of those shots on goal. Whitman goalkeeper Baker Conte collected two saves.
The Pirates officially clinched the NWC title during halftime of the game against Whitman, when the match across the state between second-place Pacific Lutheran (one point behind Whitworth entering Saturday) and Puget Sound went final with a 2-1 win for Puget Sound. The win for the Loggers on the final day of the regular season prevented the possibility of the Lutes catching Whitworth in the standings.
The NCAA Division III Selection Show will be aired on Monday at 10:30 a.m. (PST). The Pirates will make their second consecutive appearance in the NCAA tournament and ninth appearance overall. Whitworth reached the round of 16 in the 2014 NCAA tournament.
